Are Silkies easy on gardens?

[j.luetkemeyer]

I am looking at getting some silkies for my daughters to have as pets but am also looking for pest control in my yard. My garden is right in the middle of my yard so I don't let my layers out for pest control. How are Silkies around gardens? Do they tend to cause problems. I have heard guineas are excellent pest controllers and do not care to mess with gardens but am not sure if I want to get into those yet.

 

[Buugette]

I can't speak for all, but my Silkies are fine in my garden. My garden is fenced, so I have to deliberately put them in there... they take care of the bugs, turn the soil and pull the weeds... (ok, I'm in there helping too)... but they do all the bug work and just love the new weeds.

 

[j.luetkemeyer]

I will normally put a few young chicks, say 3 to 8 weeks old in my garden and they are fine at that age but I don't always have them at that age when needed for pest control. I'm getting some silkie eggs to hatch anyways but was trying to figure out where to put them. Thanks for your info.

 

[muddyhorse]

hello fellow missourian

we have silkies and they are fine in the garden. they will go for red tomatoes and other produce cause well its food. who are you getting eggs from ?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

They may be small, fuzzy, and goofy, but they are still chickens. Mine scratch and peck just like any other breed.

And are absolutely not to be trusted around ripe tomatoes!

 

[j.luetkemeyer]

Thanks for the info. That's what I was wondering.

I am going to get some eggs from KentuckySilkies.

 

[Keri78]

Just be careful and keep a very close eye on them if they are in the middle of your yard with no cover from hawks! I JUST LOVE our silkies!!! I think your plan sounds great!!!

 

[Bantimna]

A.T. Hagan :

They may be small, fuzzy, and goofy, but they are still chickens. Mine scratch and peck just like any other breed.

And are absolutely not to be trusted around ripe tomatoes!

And berries!​