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Barnyard Buddies:  question about chickens in the garden  |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
 Posted - May 26 2009 : 07:06:07 AM
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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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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 07:34:20 AM
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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 |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:00:28 AM
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Was wondering the same thing...
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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NudeFoodFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Heide
Benton City
WA
433 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:08:05 AM
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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. |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 10:58:17 AM
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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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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:13:03 PM
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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... |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:58:36 PM
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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. |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on May 26 2009 2:01:01 PM |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2009 : 08:34:03 AM
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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. |
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Barnyard Buddies: question about chickens in the garden |
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question about chickens in the garden
