another newbie from CA

[juicebox]

(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
brand new as of a month ago

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
4 ladies

(3) What breeds do you have?
barred plymouth rocks

(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
google search???

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
gardening

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
married, 2 cats and a pond with many fish. we live in the bay area.

so here's my initial question. we have a few plants growing in our garden right now and as far as i can tell, the only damage the chickens do (they are 13 weeks old), is they might step on them and that's only been a concern for the tomatoes which they kill 3 of within minutes of planting (sad). they, the tomatoes, now have caging around them now. but for the big plants or the sturdier ones, i'm not worry about letting the chickens roam free. am i being naive? will they eventually destroy the garden? they have not shown much interest in eating plants yet, although i've seen them nibble a little bit of various green things.

 

[Imp]

from Washington

Congrats on the chicks

Imp- And they will probably destoy your garden- fence is your friend.

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! glad you joined us!

 

[Ga.chickenman]

From Ga.

 

[Lotsapaints]

from the central coast

hummm chickens will think you are planting that garden just for them. Use them when you are done with a section they will clean it up good then you can get it ready to replant until then keep them away from anything you do not want chickenized

 

[wekiva bird]

from south carolina.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

from San Diego
Say goodbye to everything green and lush. I once had a beautiful backyard with a perfect lawn and thriving large bushes and flowers...now I have a wasteland of dirt and brown death....

My gardens are raised and netted...works great.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio