Keeping Barred Rock Out of Carport?

[rudimyers]

We love our Barred Rocks. We own eleven pullets (who I guess are almost hens terminology wise?) that are just reaching five months. We, of course, spoil them rotten, and they love following us around. One of their favorite activities is sitting on the top step - the one that is in the carport and right outside our back door. As much as we love their "knocking" on the door and watching us, we are getting VERY VERY tired of sweeping/spraying the poop off of the steps and carport. Is there a nice way to discourage them from coming onto the carport?

<picture of them on our step below ....>

 

[Eowyn2]

Not sure how to help you, but that picture is hilarious. I love me some barred rocks. I'm guessing the only way to keep them off is to fence them out somehow.

Oh, and as far as I know, they're termed pullets until they're a year old, and then they're hens.

 

[rudimyers]

Thank you, they are hysterical in general. I feel like the Pied Piper when I let them out because they follow me all the way to the house. They also LOVE the Kubota tractor, and I have to go VERY ..... sl owwwwww llllyyyyy when I get around their favorite tree. They come out near the tractor because the insects are jumping away (and they are coming out to grab the insects).

 

[devora]

If you find an answer that doesn't include something nuclear I'd like to know.

 

[Daisy8s]

Pick a new spot to feed them their treats. Make that place the ONLY place you feed treats. Add a special call or sound that you make ONLY when you are giving treats ONLY in that place. They'll learn to hang out there.

Meanwhile...keep the pics coming, that was a good chuckle!

 

[Eowyn2]

Oh, and is that one on the far left a cockerel instead of a pullet? He/she sure is noticeably lighter than the rest. Doesn't have as much comb/wattle as I would expect from a boy though...

 

[rudimyers]

They are supposed to all be girls. That one does have very unusual coloring - looks more like a ptarmigan to me.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Oh, and is that one on the far left a cockerel instead of a pullet? He/she sure is noticeably lighter than the rest. Doesn't have as much comb/wattle as I would expect from a boy though...

Some of the birds might be showing their mixed breeding. The "white topped" barred birds is a common look in a mixed breed flock. It doesn't make them less a chicken, nor less a good layer. Where did you get the chicks?

 

[rudimyers]

My husband picked them up at Tractor Supply. He called me at work. The store had several breeds (I can't remember now what they had - just getting excited over the Barred Rock choice).