Chickens in the sheep pen

[shy sheep]

Ok. I know there aren't huge problems with my chickens in the sheep pen, but I don't want the chickens giving my sheep worms, and I also don't want the extra poop to pick up. Plus, its just plain annoying. They should be in their own spot. And speaking of that, my chickens keep flying over the fence of their garden area, and they aren't supposed to do that. What should I do! The chickens keep going farther away every time, and soon they're going to go too ar and get into trouble! I'm worried. What should I do?? Any ideas?
-shy sheep

 

[bonbean01]

I wouldn't like that either. We have chicken wire over the top of the outside chicken area...mainly since I don't want any wild bird in there that may have bird flu. Our handful of totally free range chickens don't bother with the sheep since I think they're afraid of them. I too worry that one day they might wander too far away, but so far so good. Two were lost to predators this spring, but we knew that could happen.

Not sure there is a way to keep your chickens from flying in with the sheep short of a chicken wire roof, but that defeats the free range plan. Hope someone comes up with a good idea.

 

[Southdown]

I was actually thinking I would allow my chickens to go into the sheep barns. I believe that worms and parasites are host specific, meaning that chicken worms cannot infest sheep and vice versa. If this is correct, they can co-exist without harming each other. From what I understand, it is actually quite beneficial to have diversity of species intermingle. Maybe the chickens can scratch down the sheep manure and help it to compost faster.

 

[shy sheep]

Their garden is too big for wire, I pick up the manure in the pen, and I also need them to be kept IN their pen, not wondering about.UUUGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Their annoying, even if I love them dearly. Th jump up on the fence surrounding the pen, and then fly over, what shound I do to the fence? I don't really want to clip their wings, cause I LOVE their beautiful wings, and we tried it once, but they still flew. What to do???

 

[Bridgemoof]

I have chickens all over the place, including the sheep pen. They roost above the sheep, which I am NOT happy about, because of course they poop on my woolies :-(

But, I have also seen the chickens sitting on the sheep's back picking the hay and bugs and stuff off of the sheep, so that's good! They do scratch around a lot and kind of make a mess of the hay. I'm not sure if it is helping to break down the manure. I don't see any issues with parasites.

I can't envision your current fencing situation, so I can't help there. Overall, having them together is fun to watch. Good luck with your chickies!

 

[BrownSheep]

I have chicken all over aswell. If anything I'm more concerned for the chickens. My sheep take no prisoners when they walk around.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

When you clip wings, you only clip one wing so it throws them off balance. Other than clipping wings and adding to your fence, there really isn't much else to do.

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

My chickens had free roam of the goat pen until they started flying over. Any chicken that flew over went to chicken jail. It started with 2 and now I have all 7 in the coop. (well I cant seem to be able to get the icelandic pullet back in the coop so I guess its 6.) I think I'll use the goat pen for the youngsters and anyone who doesn't like to excape. I have too many preditors here to clip wings and if they do get out a few will go roost wayy up in the trees. I agree on clipping only 1 wing though. I've noticed the more you keep them cofined the less they want to excape. If you go from a brooder to a grow out pen to a coop and then let them out into the larger pen on occasion they dont want to go too far. If you give them more freedom as chicks then they like to venture further and further out as adults.

 

[Sheepshape]

I have 45 chickens and they are everywhere in the sheep shed and the fields which they graze. I've never had a problem....both can move pretty fast when they want to.

I'm not aware of any parasite (and I'm waiting for someone to tell me!) which passes between the two. Both species get roundworms, but they are species specific etc.

 

[Sheepshape]

I have 45 chickens and they are everywhere in the sheep shed and the fields which they graze. I've never had a problem....both can move pretty fast when they want to.

I'm not aware of any parasite (and I'm waiting for someone to tell me!) which passes between the two. Both species get roundworms, but they are species specific etc.