ACK!!!!!!! My chickens are digging holes

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I love my chickens. They work for food basically. My large run is 40x70 and the garden goes around it in an L shape. During this fall/winter I open their gate that goes out into the garden and with all those little rakes they do a very fine job of turning the soil and mixing in compost while adding their own special fertilizer.

Yeah they are going to dig holes it is in their nature to rake and dust.

 

[hillerfamily]

Quote:
Ok...I think I just peed alittle. LMAO

Try poking a banana through the fence.......hillarious.Mine scream at it then its like tag football for the blind....good fun

 

[belknap89]

my theory is that they're getting at the roots in my run. Just a thought.

 

[greathorse]

Henry'schickens :

I have places for them to dust. A LOT of places. But why do they choose to use my yard where grass is to grow? I still love em tho.

They're chickens LOL. Gets on my nerves too. gotta make some changes this summer.​

 

[vermontgal]

I have sort of the opposite question. I want my chickens to really turn up the garden plot this spring. How can I ENCOURAGE them to dig??!

 

[Puff of Fluff]

Quote:
I use my chickens to help weed by broadcasting extra scratch in the areas I want the weeds taken out of. If they leave a few I just sprinkle more scratch there the next day and let them go at it again until the weeds are gone. They turn the soil while they do it.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Quote:
I use my chickens to help weed by broadcasting extra scratch in the areas I want the weeds taken out of. If they leave a few I just sprinkle more scratch there the next day and let them go at it again until the weeds are gone. They turn the soil while they do it.

And I do the opposite of you. lol I intentionally throw my grains/treats in the gravel driveway so that they DON'T scratch and dig in my grass/yard.

 

[Puff of Fluff]

Henry'schickens :

Quote:
I use my chickens to help weed by broadcasting extra scratch in the areas I want the weeds taken out of. If they leave a few I just sprinkle more scratch there the next day and let them go at it again until the weeds are gone. They turn the soil while they do it.

And I do the opposite of you. lol I intentionally throw my grains/treats in the gravel driveway so that they DON'T scratch and dig in my grass/yard.​

Ops, I forgot to mention I am on 2 acres, so I really need all the help I can get to control the weeds. Henry'schickens your way works really good to help keep down the weeds in a gravel drive also, and it will take them longer to get to the grain so keeps them entertained as well. With them having to move the gravel to get to the grain it uproots a lot of bugs the hens really enjoy and provide good protein for them too. Great idea.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Quote:
Because the neighbors don't think we're nuts enough, we need to add another layer to the chicken-owning fruitcake.

I am so sorry, I am not understanding just what you are suggesting. Can you provide a demonstration for us please???

I would love to see this behavior modeling!!

 

[cmom]