Guest Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hi Another potty question. I have a pond at the end of my garden backing onto fields wil the chickens keep out of it(it has steep sides and just wondered if they are sensible enough to keep out? thanks indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 If it was me I'd either fence it off or put something over it as chickens will drown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hi I can see the pond being a problem its too big to fence off etc its more lake size... I think i may get some omlet electric fencing to let them Free range in(I am going to build a good size run for them) But thanks I spoke to a neighbour today and when she feeds her ducks she throw the food onto a rock and the chickens apparently somehow erratically fly to the rock and back(hers is a lake too)!! She reminded me to ask the above thanks for your reply indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 mine have never ventured into the pond as of yet! (3 years) Its quite big (with a bridge over it) and is not fenced, my lot seem to realise it is water and dangerous. I would definitely err on the side of caution though, especially as your pond is at the bottom of the garden - so chooks out of sight may get into trouble. A forum member did have a hen drown in a very shallow pond. I suppose everyones hens are different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Someone on the forum did have a hen drown in their garden pond. I forgt who, now. Sorry. I would make sure that there are means for any hens who have gone paddling to get out if the pond has steep rather than sloping sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Yes agree I thought they would keep away(chicken by name and nature??) but the sides are steep in most places and I certainly wont be doing any rescues its really deep. I could just see one tumbling in & gettting all water logged. I think will get some netting as i have a spaniel too(the plot thickens..that is another issue as he is killer cocker spaniel)...so a bit of electrocution is probably needed many thanks...I am going to be a busy bee indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I have a small pond, but my lot stay away from it. But I have shooed them away from it whenever they go anywhere near, so i think they realise it's out of bounds.. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 My lot drink from our pond occasionally if the water level is up, but generally ignore it completely. They only really seem interested in things they can eat, dig up or both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 We have 4 ponds, all with different typed sides and so far the girls have shown no interest in any of them at all. I let my girls wander at will round the garden and they just seem to know to keep away from them. There may be a chance that you get a less than average intelligence hen, or an extremely nosey hen who just has to investigate. You won't know until you get your girls and see their characters. Hopefully you should be fine though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Chickens can be spectacularly dim where water is concerned; personally, I'd fence it in. Phil delivered an eglu and some hens to a couple with a lake, hen advised them to fence it in. As he got the chooks out and showed the couple how to hold them, the lady let go of hers... and guess where it headed? You've got it, he had to use the net to catch the poor thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Oh no..I can just picture the brand new fluffy hen not so fluffy after a dip! what a nightmare! thanks No pond go area I think indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 When we first got chickens 2 headed straight for the pond and had to be grabbed mid air as they jumped in! They no longer have access to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenLdn Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 We have 3 ponds in our garden and ive got my fingers crossed the hens dont decide to go swimming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 She's a nosey one isn't she , hope she keeps out of trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 we have a net over ours,would that be an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
