how do I keep free range chickens out of landscaping?

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I have mulch all over my grass, my ground cover in my planter boxes is non existent now (they ate it!), half my potted plants are torn up, my strawberry plants are struggling to get out new shoots before they are eaten (I did use chicken wire on these)... all this and only two hens (and a small suburban backyard).

I figured this was the price I was going to have to pay... I would love to hear what you guys come up with!!
 
I have to agree with most of the previous posts, we have fenced our girls into the "orchard" area. Then Rusty saw the goodies on the other side, then Grey Girl thought that looked good. Whitey used to go out front, we think the neighbors might have poisoned her, but now that I have found BYC, I see that she probably had a mold. bummer.
In any case,
My very patient and loving husband watched for where the birds would fly out and extended the fence by putting extra of the wire up at the top. They flew over or went to a different spot.
Hubby got tired of cleaning up the sidewalks.
Wings got clipped on one side.
Snails go in (after I pick them and carry them over in my bucket), I toss them weeds when I can, and they free range in their limited space.
Everyone can roost, but the escape artists can fly the coop no more!
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see my post from a couple of days ago........for garden areas, a fence is the only practical way.....but, you can keep them out of your flower beds by adding a layer of pine cones on top of the mulch.......this also works around shrubs.....for larger beds, put pine cones around the edges, approx: 12-24" wide.........chickens don't like stepping on pine cones, it hurts their little chicken feets.......good luck.....
 
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I'm having luck keeping my chickens out of my flower & veggy areas by spraying water often. They don't seem to appreciate the cold & wet mulch or dirt. Run from the cold showers too!
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Here is a pic of my yard, all the gardens are fenced of with bird netting and there isn't a blade of grass left lol. I didn't know that when the grass ran out they would move onto eating every thing green in the garden even the lemon tree AHHH. as I said before they only have a bit of my yard and thats were my vege gardens are, so the gardens are now protected from them with the bird netting
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We are in the process of developing fencing in a large free-range are.
FWIW, cochins with their feathery feet are not as prone to leave gaping holes in the dirt. The feathers sift the dirt before it flies as far as other chickens scratch it. Other than that.. fence.
Oh, didn't we mention you'd need a fence with this addiction? OOOPS!
 
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No seriously, I raise produce for a living and have beautiful flower gardens and there is no way in the world I would let my chickens near them!
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I am dealing with my 5 adult hens eating the side of my shed right now so I wouldn't trust them not to eat the tin I am about to put up........
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