| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| snowberryfarm |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 12:37:06 PM
I need some advice from you more experienced farmgirls out there...
We have 9 chickens that are freeranging around our small farmstead. They stay in the pasture a lot, but also have been coming up to the yard a lot lately. I don't mind, but what I can't deal with is how they get into my flower beds all around the house. They are constantly digging, and kicking all of the bark out onto the lawn. There just has to be some natural deterrent I can use to keep them out of the flower beds, but I don't know what that might be! Anyone have any luck with this? I would appreciate any ideas someone might have!
Thanks!
Michelle
www.snowberryfarm.blogspot.com |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| snowberryfarm |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 2:34:11 PM
Thanks everyone, for your ideas and advice!!! My husband is thinking of building a chicken tractor, and we are also considering keeping them penned up most of the time. I am also going to try the push broom and see if that does the trick! Someone once told me that chickens don't like onions, so last night my daughter and I went out in the flower beds, and sprinkled peices of onion all around. So far today they have not gotten into the flower beds...hmmmm...I will keep you posted to see if this really works.
Thanks again!
Michelle
www.snowberryfarm.blogspot.com |
| Brew Crew |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 1:32:24 PM
My chickens seem to be deathly afraid of the push-broom. Anywhere it lies, they avoid like the plauge. Maybe yours would be too? ;)
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 10:44:38 AM
Aimee-- A "Chicken Tractor" is like an enclosed chicken pen on wheels (or skids). You can move it all over the place so the chickens can "free range," but they are contained so they can't access places you don't want them to go, and they are relatively safe from predators. Although, I like YOUR concept better!!! Heaven knows, some chickens need their butts swated!!!
I had a hen that learned to climb a six foot fence. Her wings (and all the OTHER birds' wings) were clipped, so she couldn't fly out of the pen. Well, she kept getting out. Soon, more hens were getting out. I could not, for the life of me, figure out HOW they were getting out. One day I happened to be outside at just the right time. I heard all this squaking and wing flapping and looked over to the chicken pen and saw her take a runing leap at the fence, grab on with her feet, and flap those stubby wings for all she was worth while walking up the fence! She perched at the top of the fence for a moment, then leapt off. The other REBEL hens soon followed. She was quite persistant. I never could keep THAT particular mob in, but the birds I have now aren't quite as determined to get out as that group were. Either that, or this bunch is just lazy.
I swear, there IS some truth the movie "Chicken Run!!" Anyone who has chickens, and has seen that movie, probably agrees! If you haven't seen it, you should! It's pretty funny.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| aimeeravae |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 07:59:23 AM
I haven't had any dealing with the chickens since I was a child. I don't want to jinx, but we may have an acreage. I will be getting chicken.IF.. Anyway, what on this lovely green earth is a chicken tractor? I am envisioning a lawnmower size tractor that follows them around and picks them out of the flowers, swats their butts and puts them on the right track. Now I don't remember this from my childhood. Could you please expain this to me?
Aimee
http://laplantewardklopf.blogspot.com/ Motto To Live By
"Life should NOT be a jouney to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!" |
| windypines |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 07:22:13 AM
I let my chickens out just before dark, and stand and watch them. Otherwise they will rip up everything in sight. Mine do have a yard they can go in and out to. But that yard no longer contains any grass. Gives them a place for nice dust baths though.
Michele |
| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 06:48:48 AM
Michelle darling-
you have been to my house. Not a flower in sight, right?! Four years ago it was professionally landscaped with beautiful flowers and beds around the entire perimeter of my huge yard. Not only did the chickens dig up all the bulbs and eat them, but they flew into the yard, and pillaged there as well. *U*
We have decided living on a ranch with horses, goats, and chickens, all of whom are likely to pillage the land, is the trade off. No flowers, but plenty of raw milk, free range eggs, and all the horseback riding we want.
I know how pretty your yard is, and that your husband loves his flowers! So....I suggest you keep the chickens penned up most of the ime, and just let them free range part of the day. They will be less likely to do alot of damage, and they'll be so intent on finding some bugs and other goodies to eat, they won't be as likely to wander to the flower beds, knowing their time is short! That may not work either if they are determined and get a taste for the bulbs though.
Come see the goat kids! Hurry and pick yours, because I have had a couple phone calls from people looking for babies, and girls in particular. I only have one right now and she is spoken for by Teresa, but my last girl is delivering today, and she may have a girl or two in that belly! *U* At any rate I have two really really cute little boys that will need homes too.
Dalyn
Muckboots 'N Aprons Chapter
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/ |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jun 04 2008 : 04:38:10 AM
I had the same problem but we put up a barrier fence behind the house and now they can't come down anymore. It was a pain in the butt plus the money to have to put up a fence but we already had electric for the goats. We just had to add a line of chicken wire so they would not go under. But it was so worth it. I have about 49 chickens not sure but that was way to many plowing. They do free range but up the hill and as far as they want.
Believe me they still look into the back yard with that look. You can see they are trying to figure out how to get to the flower bed and the herb bed. Hope they don't start flying over...lol.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 11:48:53 PM
I'm afraid I have to agree with the other ladies. There is some "magical allure" in those flower beds that's just too enticing for those chickens! My chickens are the same way. They have the WHOLE WORLD (or 20+ acres at least!) to scratch around in, but there they are! Right in my flower beds by the house! (AND my garden!!!) The only thing I'VE found that will keep the chickens out is my little chi/corgi/who knows WHAT ELSE cross. He's a GREAT little sheep/goat herding dog and defender against the chickens!
If anyone knows the secret to keeping my PIG (pot Belly) out of my flower beds I'D like to know! She's dug up the same Coral Bells plant FOUR times!!! (today I noticed she tried to dig up it's neighbor! ARRGGGHHH!!!!)
Good luck with the chickens Michelle. If you DO find a solution, please share it with the rest of us. We'd all be grateful.
And Corrine, dear-- is it just me, or is that goat picture you posted just a LITTLE BIT CREEPY? I find Those RED eyes a little disturbing!!!! (or is it just MY computer screen making them look that way?) Farmgirl Hugs to all ~~~Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 3:38:11 PM
keeping free range chickens out of the garden can be a full time job. i had one pretty little rooster dig up my cabbages 3 times one spring. if he wasn't a family pet, i would have ate him! good luck!
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 2:30:05 PM
It's the nature of chickens. You could put little kick borders around your garden or build a chicken tractor is you still want the rangability without compromising your gardens.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
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www.willowtreecreek.com
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