New roof being installed at my house-worry about stress or injury to my birds!

[ValerieJ]

I live on a pear orchard, so they do get to free range when there has been no chemical spraying recently. It's safe now, so I am letting them free range in hopes they will stay away. In addition to 2 full grown hens and 4 pullets, I have a broody mama with chicks that are 5 weeks old, and they have a chicken tractor in the run where I keep food and water (and shelter) for them separate from the flock. The chicks tend to go there for protection, so I'm considering moving it out into the orchard next to large rose bush they all sometimes congregate under. I just don't want to stress them out more than necessary with unwarranted moving of their home.

That all sounds like good ideas to me. I have never free ranged my chickens, but if yours are accustomed to it, then that is the solution. Unfortunately I have a rescue dog who would be the first predator on the scene if I free ranged.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Oh dear!!!

Definitely need a magnet!

Roofers usually have one like this.
http://www.magnet-tool.com/magnetic_sweepers.html

Mine is more like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-Magnetic-Power-Pick/3363970

Even less expensive here...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ANViL-Telescopic-Magnetic-Pick-Up-Tool-95212/300998736?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-1_HAND+TOOLS|NA|LIA|71700000043839315|58700004592003384|92700038837660282&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Iuftbqe4wIVj7bACh1wpgFXEAQYBiABEgIRm_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

My partner has a magnet we can use, so fingers crossed these guys actually have one too and USE it. I don't want to have spend my evening cleaning up after these guys, but I may have to. It's a horrifying mess over here now.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

At least it's not your roof...
Mary

You can say that again, Mary!

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Oh dear!!!

Definitely need a magnet!

Roofers usually have one like this.
http://www.magnet-tool.com/magnetic_sweepers.html

Mine is more like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-Magnetic-Power-Pick/3363970

Even less expensive here...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ANViL-Telescopic-Magnetic-Pick-Up-Tool-95212/300998736?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-1_HAND+TOOLS|NA|LIA|71700000043839315|58700004592003384|92700038837660282&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Iuftbqe4wIVj7bACh1wpgFXEAQYBiABEgIRm_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I sure hope these guys have one of these. I know we have something like this here in my partner's shop too, I think.

 

[Folly's place]

You may be able to rent one at a rental place, if all else fails. Go over every inch of everywhere OFTEN!!!
Mary

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Ugh...not how I planned to spend my holiday weekend...but I know it will need to be done!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had my roof done not too long ago, thankfully by actual construction guys. They were throwing debris into a dumpster right next to my run, but the chickens weren't bothered much by it and nothing accidentally fell in there. And yes they used a magnet and did a fairly good job picking up nails... I found a few that fell into odd spots like plant pots, but the ground itself was pretty clear of nails once they finished. Still finding pieces of roof shingle though.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

I had my roof done not too long ago, thankfully by actual construction guys. They were throwing debris into a dumpster right next to my run, but the chickens weren't bothered much by it and nothing accidentally fell in there. And yes they used a magnet and did a fairly good job picking up nails... I found a few that fell into odd spots like plant pots, but the ground itself was pretty clear of nails once they finished. Still finding pieces of roof shingle though.

Oh that's good. Sounds like they at least cleaned up. These guys left a horrible mess this evening. Had to do some clean up on my own. Found a lot of staples.

Glad to hear your chickens faired well during the process!

 

[Folly's place]

Would it help to complain to the landlord?

 

[rosemarythyme]

These guys left a horrible mess this evening. Had to do some clean up on my own. Found a lot of staples.

Ugh that's a headache. I was afraid I'd find debris everywhere since it was a rush job (a thunderstorm was incoming) but the guys stayed and cleaned up even as the rain came.