The cons of chickens

[Jballs918]

OK so I am learning about chickens and it seems that there is alot of information out there. As I have learned more and getting excited about doing this, I have mentioned it to people and seemed to have gotten alot of negative responses about having chickens. I guess I have a few questions about the cons of chickens. Let me give you a little information and maybe you guys can shed some light on this. I have a rather large back yard that has a wooden privacy fence. We are looking to have chickens as pets not as production birds. Eggs are just a side benefit. I live in a neighborhood and fence goes to my property line. We would like to free range them but this is where my first question comes from. We are looking at most likely about 4 birds and I was wondering how destructive will they be to the lawn. From what I have read and been told that chicken will burn my lawn. Will this become a problem or is this only an issue with several birds. And while talking about poop since they are going to be free ranging during the day will smell become an issue. We want to raise chickens but also don't want to have the neighbors hating us. I guess I will stop here and see where this goes as I'm sure I will have more questions or need to provide some information as this gets talked about. Again thank you for all your time.

 

[Michael Propst]

I was wondering how destructive will they be to the lawn. From what I have read and been told that chicken will burn my lawn. Will this become a problem or is this only an issue with several birds. And while talking about poop since they are going to be free ranging during the day will smell become an issue.

I currently have 6 that free range my fenced backyard. The smell from the droppings is not an issue and provide great fertilizer for the yard. I am not sure what you mean by burn your lawn? They will tear it up by foraging, digging and scratching. I just got my chickens last year and my backyard and flower beds were immaculate, now about every 2-3 days or before mowing I am raking all the mulch back into the beds that they chickens have kicked out by foraging. They love to dirt bath in my rose bed so about once a month I have to replace dirt that has been kicked out. Now I just concentrate on having a nice front yard and leave the back yard to the girls. If you are wanting to maintain a immaculate backyard free ranging chickens may not be for you. But honestly the joy I have gotten from my girls far outweigh the damage they do to the yard.

 

[Relleoms]

Totally agree with @Michael Propst. Plus, they will poop on anything and everything they make contact with-chairs, tables, porch-if you don’t want them violated, make sure the chickens can’t get to them! But, the entertainment value they provide far outweighs the negatives, and the eggs are a lovely bonus. Just make sure your backyard is predator proof (to the best of your ability) and enjoy your birds!

 

[Ridgerunner]

How much damage they will do to your lawn depends on chicken density, your climate, and somewhat on your seasons. They do more damage when plants are not growing than when they are. I don't know how big your back yard is but it's unlikely four hens will destroy that much. They will dig a hole or two for to take dust baths. Often the area right at their coop will get cleared. It's unlikely the damage to the grass will be extensive if your yard is as big as I think with only four hens but expect a few bare areas, especially where they like to hang out.

Chickens can destroy areas in different ways. When chicken poop builds up and does not have time to break down the concentration can burn plants. It kills plants by having too much nitrogen in that area. Their walking can compact the ground and make it hard for stuff to grow. The big problem is that they eat about anything green and then scratch up the roots and probably eat them. Anything that sprouts gets immediately eaten.

There are three basic possibilities. If they are confined in a small space they will make that into a barren waste. In a larger area they will eat the plants that they most enjoy and leave the plants they don't, usually some ugly weeds. It may stay pretty green but that can become a jungle. You'll probably want to keep it mowed for appearances plus to give the good stuff a chance to grow instead of getting crowded out. The one I'd expect you to see if you have the area I envision would be a few isolated areas of damage but the main lawn not destroyed at all.

If the poop is spread out it is unlikely to stink at all. If it builds up and gets wet it can stink. Smell is highly unlikely to be an issue with you except for the coop or if you leave hen locked in a small run most of the time. You can manage that by keeping it dry.

There are some possible issues. As Micheal mentioned, they love to scratch in flower beds or anything with mulch. They can do damage to landscaping beds with their scratching. Don't even think of having a vegetable garden unless it is fenced against them. They will eat blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and things like that. It is hilarious to watch one stand under a grape vine and jump a couple of feet to snag a grape.

Wherever they go they poop. A lot of the time they like to perch on lawn furniture or on your back porch or patio, especially if it is covered so they are in shade. You are likely to find their little land mines everywhere. That may reduce your pleasure in using your back yard for entertaining or just for your family, especially if you have small kids.

Lots of people let chickens roam their back yard and really enjoy it. They either put up with it or they fence the areas they don't want the chickens to damage or pollute.

I think it is an excellent question, at least you are thinking. And welcome to the forum, glad you are here.

 

[Relleoms]

How much damage they will do to your lawn depends on chicken density, your climate, and somewhat on your seasons. They do more damage when plants are not growing than when they are. I don't know how big your back yard is but it's unlikely four hens will destroy that much. They will dig a hole or two for to take dust baths. Often the area right at their coop will get cleared. It's unlikely the damage to the grass will be extensive if your yard is as big as I think with only four hens but expect a few bare areas, especially where they like to hang out.

Chickens can destroy areas in different ways. When chicken poop builds up and does not have time to break down the concentration can burn plants. It kills plants by having too much nitrogen in that area. Their walking can compact the ground and make it hard for stuff to grow. The big problem is that they eat about anything green and then scratch up the roots and probably eat them. Anything that sprouts gets immediately eaten.

There are three basic possibilities. If they are confined in a small space they will make that into a barren waste. In a larger area they will eat the plants that they most enjoy and leave the plants they don't, usually some ugly weeds. It may stay pretty green but that can become a jungle. You'll probably want to keep it mowed for appearances plus to give the good stuff a chance to grow instead of getting crowded out. The one I'd expect you to see if you have the area I envision would be a few isolated areas of damage but the main lawn not destroyed at all.

If the poop is spread out it is unlikely to stink at all. If it builds up and gets wet it can stink. Smell is highly unlikely to be an issue with you except for the coop or if you leave hen locked in a small run most of the time. You can manage that by keeping it dry.

There are some possible issues. As Micheal mentioned, they love to scratch in flower beds or anything with mulch. They can do damage to landscaping beds with their scratching. Don't even think of having a vegetable garden unless it is fenced against them. They will eat blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and things like that. It is hilarious to watch one stand under a grape vine and jump a couple of feet to snag a grape.

Wherever they go they poop. A lot of the time they like to perch on lawn furniture or on your back porch or patio, especially if it is covered so they are in shade. You are likely to find their little land mines everywhere. That may reduce your pleasure in using your back yard for entertaining or just for your family, especially if you have small kids.

Lots of people let chickens roam their back yard and really enjoy it. They either put up with it or they fence the areas they don't want the chickens to damage or pollute.

I think it is an excellent question, at least you are thinking. And welcome to the forum, glad you are here.

It may be more work than you’re willing to do, but once a day I walk my yard with a cat litter scoop & plastic putty knife and collect the droppings for my compost pile. It makes being in our yard much more enjoyable not having to dodge land mines and is an added bonus for my garden.

 

[PirateGirl]

You don't mention what size area the chickens will have access to. The larger the space the smaller their overall impact on it.

I don't think smell will be an issue. Chickens cannot be trained to all poop in a specified area like a dog or cat. They cannot control their bowels and just go when they need to go. That being said, you will find their little presents anywhere and everywhere. They also like to climb on things, so consider if you want to risk leaving things like a table and chairs where they can climb on it and poop on it.

As others have said, if you have flower beds or vegetables growing, or anything you don't want the chickens to mess with, fence them out.

If they are ever confined to a run, that area will likely be barren fairly quickly.

 

[aart]

I think it is an excellent question, at least you are thinking. And welcome to the forum, glad you are here.

Ditto Dos^^^

 

[matmah50]

I agree 4 chickens are unlikely to impact your backyard the problem I noticed most was with free ranging someone should be with them or provide overhead hawk protection. We lost three of our 6 free rangers so now they only come out when we are outside. I also use fences for the garden area and the patio so they cant get up there and poop on everything. Never had any smell because they are partially free ranging.

 

[Chicken Boy 101]

OK so I am learning about chickens and it seems that there is alot of information out there. As I have learned more and getting excited about doing this, I have mentioned it to people and seemed to have gotten alot of negative responses about having chickens. I guess I have a few questions about the cons of chickens. Let me give you a little information and maybe you guys can shed some light on this. I have a rather large back yard that has a wooden privacy fence. We are looking to have chickens as pets not as production birds. Eggs are just a side benefit. I live in a neighborhood and fence goes to my property line. We would like to free range them but this is where my first question comes from. We are looking at most likely about 4 birds and I was wondering how destructive will they be to the lawn. From what I have read and been told that chicken will burn my lawn. Will this become a problem or is this only an issue with several birds. And while talking about poop since they are going to be free ranging during the day will smell become an issue. We want to raise chickens but also don't want to have the neighbors hating us. I guess I will stop here and see where this goes as I'm sure I will have more questions or need to provide some information as this gets talked about. Again thank you for all your time.

I built a 12 by 7 ft run and within a week it was dirt.

 

[Mraya]

I live in a neighborhood and fence goes to my property line

Please make sure you are allowed to have chickens. I can be heart breaking to find out after the fact.