Love farm fresh eggs but....

[amama]

That post was so cute about setting boundaries with them. They have 50 acres to free range, and choose to basically hang around the house despite the dogs nicely chasing them nicely off their area, and our repeated trying to train them away with a broom or hose after other things didn't work. My husband built a fence on one part of our sidewalk and it's a pain to have to use a gate by our front door, but I enjoy not stepping in poo all the time!

 

[aart]

I enjoy not stepping in poo all the time!

That's a very close second reason mine are confined.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

lol, i am glad you posted this. i am having a difficult time with my loves. Cutie literally screams all day until it's free range time. then when she's out, she and fluffy eat entire gardens...the flower bed, butterfly garden, and now they are trying to eat the newly planted and expensive shade garden. when i go to move them, Cutie pecks me. She left a mark. i was so sad.
We are building a better coop with an 80 sq ft run, but it's not ready yet. i have placed bricks around the bottom of my plants-that is helping. Cutie wants to be head hen...but that's my job!
i was wondering if there was anything some chickens do that really piss off the mommas and pappas.
as for stepping in poop...i am not permitted to complain, my husband got me boots to wear outside, he tells me, "that's what the boots are for! " i used to be barefoot-and inever wear the boots or any shoes inside the house.
edited to clarify ...

 

[Melky]

I have garden/chic house boots that stay in laundry room. Good Biosecurity! I wear my isotoner slippers in house. Pure comfort.

 

[Folly's place]

That's why there are 'barn boots' and 'barn shoes'! Wear them inside at your peril!
Mary

 

[Chickassan]

No barefoot around the poop! Easy, easy way to get an infection. I know for a fact! You haven't lived until your toenail just falls off.

lol, i am glad you posted this. i am having a difficult time with my loves. Cutie literally screams all day until it's free range time. then when she's out, she and fluffy eat entire gardens...the flower bed, butterfly garden, and now they are trying to eat the newly planted and expensive shade garden. when i go to move them, Cutie pecks me. She left a mark. i was so sad.
We are building a better coop with an 80 sq ft run, but it's not ready yet. i have placed bricks around the bottom of my plants-that is helping. Cutie wants to be head hen...but that's my job!
i was wondering if there was anything some chickens do that really piss off the mommas and pappas.
as for stepping in poop...i am not permitted to complain, my husband got me boots to wear outside, he tells me, "that's what the boots are for! " i am usually barefoot-and never wear the boots inside.

 

[Folly's place]

IMO, barefoot or sandals have no place in the coop or barn, or around farm critters large or small. Microbiology, parasitology, and being stomped on by a horse wearing shoes all cured me long ago. Just sayin'.
Mary

 

[ChickenLeg]

Where'd you get your dominiques from?

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

don't love my chickens! Between the poop EVERYWHERE, and trying to plant mums for the third time, they really wear me out. Didn't know they would eat the pumpkin we just got either until it was rotten! They are pretty though
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Is this your first flock? How long have you had them? I think chicken personalities play a lot into the enjoyment of the experience. We lucked out to have 10 pretty easy going girls. We had some people pecking at about 15 weeks but i pecked back and it was over.

Now however i added 3 hens from a friend of a friend and those girls are rude! But seeing where they came from i kind of get it. There was 20 pounds of poop piled up under the roost and about 2 dozen eggs in the nest boxes! And yes i said there were 3 so she clearly hadn’t been to the coop in over a week when i picked them up. I am hoping with some love and space they will come around.

My husband struggles with the poop e mulch being thrown out of the beds. But the goats get out once a week and clear all my berry bushes and gardens so he will have to deal with a bit of mulch.

I guess in the end it’s what i signed up for and i had to lower my expectations and add some fencing just like @Folly's place said.

Best of luck!

 

[Chickassan]

I know you aren't talking to me but Meyer has some outstanding dominiques. I got one in July can't tell alot yet but mind wise she's a smart cookie. I have a good pic if you'd like to see.

Where'd you get your dominiques from?