If chickens keep getting onto your porch and deck, then you’re probably getting to the end of your tether. Not only are they going to leave a mess wherever they go, but a lot of the time, they’re going to be loud as well!
In this article, not only will you find out how to keep chickens off your porch and deck, but you’ll also learn what’s attracting them to it in the first place!
What Attracts Chickens To Your Porch & Deck?
If chickens keep invading your porch and deck, then figuring out what’s bringing them there in the first place can often help you get rid of them. Some of the most common reasons are:
They Think Food Is There
One of the most common reasons that chickens may be attracted to your porch and deck is when they think they’re going to get food. If you’ve been feeding them from your porch and deck, or you leave food there, then they’re naturally going to be attracted to it.
Somewhere To Perch
Chickens love to perch, and as you can imagine, there are plenty of places on your porch or deck where chickens can do this. Deck chairs, patio furniture, and barbeques are a few common places chickens may decide to fly up to.
Protection From Predators
Sometimes chickens will migrate to your deck or porch because it’s safer for them. If there are predators in the area, chickens will feel a lot safer around humans or areas that are covered.
Shelter From The Elements
Just like your porch or deck will provide you with shelter from the elements, it will provide the same shelter for chickens too. Whether it’s raining too much or too sunny, a porch or deck will provide more than enough cover.
How To Keep Chickens Off Your Porch Or Deck?
Now you know all the reasons that chickens may be attracted to your porch and deck, it’s time to learn how to keep them off! Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can try!
Don’t Feed Them Near Your Porch
First of all, you should make sure you aren’t feeding your chickens near your porch. If you constantly feed them by your porch, then it’s a lot more likely that they’ll continue to keep returning. Instead, you should feed them away from your porch.
On top of this, you should also make sure you aren’t feeding other pets on your porch either, as this can also attract chickens.
Try Motion Activated Sprinklers
Chickens don’t like water, so one way you can keep them from your porch or deck is to place motion-activated sprinklers near them. This way, every time your chickens get close, they’ll end up being sprayed.
You should put them near your porch or in the path of your chickens to deter them. Just be warned, though, that motion-activated sprinklers are going to activate for any movement, including you!
Spray Bottle/Garden Hose
If you don’t want to set up motion-activated sprinklers but you spend a lot of time outside, then a spray bottle or garden hose is also a great choice. As long as you’re using a light spray and not blasting them with water, this can be an effective deterrent.
Use A Fence
Sometimes, your best option is to put a fence up. While this may be undesirable for a deck, it’s actually quite common for porches, and it’s something you should give a try.
Full fences are going to be the most effective method and also look the nicest. However, you can also try chicken wire or wire cloth if you want a more conspicuous fence.
Try Bare Soil
Chickens love bare soil because they can look for bugs and take dust baths in it. One way you can keep your chickens off your porch or deck is by creating a patch of bare soil away from them to distract the chickens.
If you want to try this, create a 1-yard by 1-yard box of bare soil somewhere away from the deck. Whilst making sure the rest of your garden is filled with vegetation of some sort.
Once you’ve done this, it’s only a matter of time before the chickens are going to become interested in the soil and migrate there.
Move The Chicken Coop Away
Another method you can try is moving the chicken coop away from the deck and porch. Because chickens have so many predators, they’ll tend to stay in certain areas where it’s safer for them. One of these areas is going to be their chicken coop.
However, over time, as they get more comfortable, they may begin to roam a bit further. So if you want to make sure that chickens are staying away from your deck and porch, then keeping the coop away is one of the best ways to do so!
Try Using Fake Predators
Chickens have a lot of predators, so one way you can keep them off your porch or deck is by scaring them with some. Fake owls are one of the best choices you can use for this.
However, you should be warned that chickens aren’t stupid, and they’ll become aware that the fake owl isn’t a threat quite quickly. Because of this, it can be worth buying a mechanical one to constantly keep them scared.
Give Them Better Perching Options Near Their Coop
One reason chickens love your porch and deck is because of the perching options available to them. The higher a chicken can perch, the safer they’re going to feel, as they can see predators from further away.
By creating high perches near their coop, you’ll give them a new place to stay and feel safe, which isn’t your porch.
If they’re committed to perching on your deck or porch, then place a perch nearby that is taller. Then over time, slowly move the perch further and further away.
On top of this, you can also add deterrents to the porch and deck to make them even more unappealing to your chickens.
Other Animals Can Keep Chickens Away Too
You can also use other animals to keep chickens away as well! For example, certain dogs can be trained to scare chickens away when they get too close. English sheepdogs are the most common choice, but there are plenty more!
As well as this, roosters tend to herd chickens and keep them closer to the nest, so adding a rooster to the mix will help keep them away from the porch. And luckily, another benefit of roosters is that they’ll also protect your chickens as well.
You Can Train Them
Did you know you can train your chickens? While it may take more time to do, it’s going to be extremely effective if you stay consistent! The first thing you’ll need to do is decide which boundary you want chickens to stop at.
Once you’ve found it, keep a hose nearby. Now every time the chickens come, spray them with the hose and yell at them to go away. Over time, they’ll begin to learn that they’ll get this reaction every time they come close, and they’ll soon be motivated to stay away.
Grow Plants Around Your Porch Or Deck
There are also a whole bunch of different plants that can deter chickens as well! Herbs are the most effective for this as they’re normally a lot stronger smelling. If you’re not sure which herbs to plant, some great choices are:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Thyme
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Oregano
- Lemon Balm
- Chamomile
Use Spices To Deter Them
Lastly, you can also use spices to deter your chickens as well. Some scents chickens absolutely hate include:
- Black pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Curry Powder
- Citrus Peels
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Paprika
Not only will the smell of these spices deter chickens, but if they walk over them, they’ll also cause them discomfort as well. However, the one downside of using spices and herbs is that they’ll have to be reapplied frequently.
Recap
As you can see, there are so many different ways you can deter chickens from your porch and deck! And oftentimes, a combination of these methods is going to be a lot better than just one!
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!
