purple hen Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I'm expecting my eglu tomorrow (no chickens yet ,have to wait until after hols), but i wonder if i need to put mesh over the pond in anticipation of free ranging chucks or will they know to avoid falling in? Any ideas? nearly here Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Hi ya, I not got a pond but I know that chickens can't swim so I would definately put some netting over it or a wooden frame with chickenwire over it. Better be safe than sorry. You will want them to free range cause it's great fun! Welcome to the forum by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenzin Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Better be safe than sorry , but chickens wouldn't jump in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jills Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I have a series of 3 ponds in the garden and no netting. No accidents yet. They seem to know not to get too close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 you are fine the chickens recognise it is a body of water and will not try to walk on it - mine drink from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 If you search the forum, you will find references to two chooks having drowned in garden ponds. My pond is covered when the chooks are around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 Thanks, I think i will be adding making pond covers to my list of jobs to do in the garden. Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I seem to recall that 2 forum members have had hens drown in the last couple of years. Better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I would certainly cover your pond but must tell you of a friends pullet who got spooked by something whilst we were all sitting (thankfully) in the garden. She certainly knew where the pond was but still managed to get caught into the netting and scared herself even sillier! It took three of us to sort her out and I would hate to think what might have happened if we werent there. I have seen some solid mesh covers for ponds at garden centres and will be getting some for our pond. Squares are big enough for newts, toads to get in /out but should a bird stand on it it should hold. AND your neighbours will think that the chickens next door walk on water!!" Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary&debbie&amy Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 hi dont worrie my hens dont go near my large koi pond . they eat the fish pellets floating on top , its a race for them between the fish holly . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 hi dont worrie my hens dont go near my large koi pond .they eat the fish pellets floating on top , its a race for them between the fish holly . I have to ask if they don't go near the pond how do they eat the fish pellets floating on top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 I'd certainly find some way of stopping the chickens getting to the pond not least because they tend to attack frogs and newts etc... the part of the garden we let our girls free-range in is getting smaller and smaller... first they weren't allowed near the veg patch then the pond/woodland area now the lawns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted May 16, 2008 Author Share Posted May 16, 2008 Thanks for all the replies, i think i will get a huge roll of strong mesh and fence off the pond, veg patch etc just to be on the safe side, although i'll probably only dare let them free range when we are around. I wondered how the hens could eat the fish pellets too Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
