- Sep 11, 2011
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How much damage will free range chickens do to a vegetable garden? Will they completely destroy it or can I let them into my pumpkins, tomatoes, and peppers? I'm sure lettuce is a big no no.
Chickens and vegetable gardens ok?
- Thread starter Summer98
- Start date
They WILL destroy it...I know from personal experience! I would try putting a fence around the vegetable garden to save your plants, or keep the chickens locked up.
Quote:
They destroy vegetable gardens. They will eat young squash and tomatoes are a favorite. They will also eat enormous zucchini, as well as every small one they can find.
I grow a raised bed just for the poultry each year, and then feed them from it by the old farm method known as "soiling." You pick a plant, or the outside leaves of leafy greens, and toss it into the run. They are fond of beets, radishes, most greens, summer squash, etc.
They destroy vegetable gardens. They will eat young squash and tomatoes are a favorite. They will also eat enormous zucchini, as well as every small one they can find.
I grow a raised bed just for the poultry each year, and then feed them from it by the old farm method known as "soiling." You pick a plant, or the outside leaves of leafy greens, and toss it into the run. They are fond of beets, radishes, most greens, summer squash, etc.
Fence it well or fence them well....trust me!
This year in a just a coupkle hours the chickens ate everything except the upper reaches of the pole beans and the tomato greens. They even ate the hot peppers.
Quote:
I fenced our primary garden, but I did have some hot Thai peppers planted in small planters on our patio, and within 15 minutes, they had picked every pepper off that plant!!! I couldn't believe it! They weren't laying yet, but I would be curious to know if it would change the taste of the eggs.
I fenced our primary garden, but I did have some hot Thai peppers planted in small planters on our patio, and within 15 minutes, they had picked every pepper off that plant!!! I couldn't believe it! They weren't laying yet, but I would be curious to know if it would change the taste of the eggs.
- May 13, 2008
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Chickens............. Gardens............. no fences................ no veggies.
Yes they will wear it smooth out in a matter of seconds. Time for plan B
Yes they will wear it smooth out in a matter of seconds. Time for plan B
But they do make an awesome clean up crew when the garden is done.
And there is an idea out there called a chicken moat, basically having the chicken run encircle the garden area so they eat the grass and weeds and insects before they get in the garden.
And there is an idea out there called a chicken moat, basically having the chicken run encircle the garden area so they eat the grass and weeds and insects before they get in the garden.
- Aug 26, 2011
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My chickens, I can tell you, completely trash my poor father's vegetable garden whenever they are let out of their encolsure.
I'm sorry, but they will uproot as many plants as they scratch under, eat all leafy greens and most likely snap a tall plant or two. They're like steam rollers when let loose.
I'm sorry, but they will uproot as many plants as they scratch under, eat all leafy greens and most likely snap a tall plant or two. They're like steam rollers when let loose.
- Thread starter
- #10
- Sep 11, 2011
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How about flower gardens? And trees?
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