| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 07:06:07 AM
We are getting more chickens. These are going to be completely free range. (The ones I have now are confined to a large run) Do I need to be concerned about them in my garden? I have heard they are great for controlling bugs but wont they eat the plants? What are your experiences?
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - May 27 2009 : 08:34:03 AM
Our hens have a nice big orchard to be "free" in. But in the fall we let them out and they go right for the garden. Bad part about that is that they will then know how much fun it is in the garden and will fly over the fence to get to it. Then we have to clip their wings. Kind of a big job if you have very many.
Cyndi, I couldn't help but laugh when I read that you fenced your garden IN. Was it going to get out? I think you fenced the chickens out. Little play on words there. It reminded me that My Mom used to say she was going to go throw the cows over the fence....some hay. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 4:29:34 PM
This is just the kind of info I was. Looking for girls! Thanks so much!!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:58:36 PM
Yes, I agree on letting them in when the plants are bigger. Although mine free range and it's hard to keep them out because they fly over the fences. So I try to keep an eye out there and just run them off. It's not so bad when the plants are bigger. I don't have a problem then. They dp help with the bug population. And guineas are even better in the garden. They are really after bugs and that's all.
You could try clipping their wings at first. Then they won't be able to fly over the fence. The only problem with mine now is that I can't catch them. They also roost way up in a cedar tree. And some people just let them in the garden when they are in it so they can keep a close watch on them.
Good luck, Julie. What kind will you be getting?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:13:03 PM
We tried letting our chickens in the garden. They dug up everything! Of course, the plants were smaller -- so Cyndi may have a valid point of letting them get well established first. Right now, I'm not willing to take a chance, so I keep them fenced out!
from the hearts of paradise... |
| MullersLaneFarm |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:58:17 AM
If you do decide to let your biddies run in your garden, make sure the plants are well established. They do more damage with their scratching than with the eating of plants and vegetables.
Our poultry free ranges but we fence the garden in.
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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| NudeFoodFarm |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:08:05 AM
We let our chickens free range and the hung out mostly under the trees in in the shade, out of our garden. I think it matters how much room you have for them to roam. If the garden is the only place they might be inclined to snack on your fresh green starts. . .
I would have to agree with Lilly.
It might help if you throw extra seed out, one of my favorites is the sunflower. It makes for nice surprise in the garden if they don't eat it.
Best,
h
Nude Food Farm
~Grown so good,
Dressing is Optional. |
| Annika |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:00:28 AM
Was wondering the same thing...
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Marybeth |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 09:56:13 AM
My neighbor lets her chickens run in her garden. She says they may eat a few things but in the long run they eat mostly insects and keep everything very clean. Once they are used to be free range they leave most of the veggies alone. Like I said they are after the bugs. MB
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"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 07:34:20 AM
If I were to let my chickens in the garden right now, they would eat everything except the garden hose! At the end of the season we let them in the garden to clean up, but not until everything we want is out of there.
Lillian |
