Running out bugs in the free range yard

[DAFox]

I can't walk around my yard without chickens underfoot, literally. And if I am walking to the coop to feed them, I have one hen that will peck at my knees if I don't walk fast enough. My black JG roo follows me absolutely everywhere. (I give him extra treats because he's the #2 roo and gets chased away from food.) I have to watch where I put my hands because he can reach them if I don't hold them up a bit. He tugs on my sleeves when I wear long sleeves.
Since chickens are related to the T-rex dinosaur, I often look at them running at me as mini versions. That is a bit scary.

Dale-Ann

 

[chickentales]

I suppose i'm a nervous chicken mom then. No trips to the park or other outings for them!

Thank you all for your answers

 

[chickentales]

HA Da Fox, I never looked at it like THAT! That is a scary thought. The way they turn and tilt their heads to look at you. Scary indeed!

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Have you considered a chicken tractor or portable fencing so they can have a new area sometimes? The grass and clover are doomed in an area that chickens are in all the time. They will peck it to bare dust/dirt. Even if you just have 2 areas you use for free range and alternate for a month here, month there you will be better off. The grass can be reseeded if you need to, get growing again, the bugs will move back in. Are you watering the area they are in at night to help? Also correct the pH of the chicken poop by using some dolopril type lime every few weeks and watering that in well. If it's the size area you can rake scratch the dolopril in with a rake and then water well all night. It also prevents the chicken run odor problems.

 

[Zgoatlady]

Hi

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
They only look hungry. Chickens peck & scratch all day. That's what they do.

 

[chickentales]

I have considered a tractor type run. I have 20 chickens and one turkey so it would have to be big. In my wilder imagination I wondered if collars and leashes would work

 

[LarryPQ]

come see us in the Arizona thread!!