Keeping chickens off the porch?

[ABurt]

I know I may be out of luck, but I am hoping someone has a good idea on how to keep the chickens from coming up on the front porch when they are out of the run.

They just started doing it as it has gotten colder here in Maine (not as much good stuff to forage for). I'm already sick of the poop on the porch (yuck). Any ideas on how to deter them?

Thanks!

 

[Wynette]

First of all, WELCOME to BYC!

It's a good question; not sure I have an answer for you, short of maybe tacking up some chicken wire or something that would be equally unattractive. Hopefully, someone else will be along shortly that will have a good answer for you!

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

I hung bird netting from the porch roof and put up a baby/doggie gate.

 

[bufforp89]

I had the same prob but with them coming into the front yard. We really hate the poop collecting in the front yard and they were starting to go closer to the road. What I did was let them get all comfy in the front yard and then I would throw open my door and chase them all into the back yard while yelling at them. I did this for weeks, every time I saw them out front and they have deffinently gotten the message. Now all I have to do when there are a few trying to sneak up is open the door and yell at them but they dont try often. Im glad I dont have neighbors though, they would think I was insane, tearing out of the house screaming at the chickens! Maybe you could do somthing similar?

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Quote:

LOL. Way to be resourceful!

 

[Country Heart]

Just yesterday I read this post about the scarecrow sprinkler. It was news to me - but might be an option worth considering.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3177613

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Our issue is keeping our goats off our back porch (and off the top of our hot tub) when they are out free-ranging. We use one of those dog exercise pens. They are metal panels that are hinged together so you can expand them out to enclose an area, then fold them back up when not in use.

 

[ABurt]

Thanks everyone! Well- I decided to try throwing water at them everytime they came up on the porch. It has been quite successful! The porch is a little wetter, but less full of poop!