Best way to keep chickens out of our garden?

[Homesteader82]

Hi,

We are in the research phase of raising chickens. We're in a rural town; we garden and have several raised beds.

1. What are some suggestions on how to keep them out? Putting a fence around the area may be a little difficult with how the beds are laid out and ease of access for us might be a problem. We're open to suggestions though.
2. Do they pose a problem once the plants are established? We grow about 20 different plants.

 

[kmom08]

I use chicken wire around my beds, and grow marigolds and other edibles for them around it. They will be attracted to anything red, so if you grow tomatoes they will steal them off the vine and devour them if you don't have a barrier to keep them out.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

You can use CD’s, haven’t tried it myself but I know others who have with success.

 

[kmom08]

Bird netting may work as well, we had plenty of chicken wire on hand so that's what we use.

 

[Gray Farms]

Your going to have to put up a physical barrier of some kind. They will pick at your plants from sprouting to harvest. They'll do a number on your vegetables as well once they get set on.

 

[Homesteader82]

Thank you for your suggestions. I am considering re-designing the garden beds/location (it seems like I keep experimenting) so that they can all be enclosed into an area with fencing.

Should I be concerned with flowers?

 

[PirateGirl]

Let me see if I have a picture of my raised beds on here. I used a staple gun and put the green plastic garden fencing around mine. I like to think it's enough to deter the chickens. I can still reach or step over it to tend to the plants...

 

[PirateGirl]

So just some posts at the corners of your boxes will allow you to string up a bit of fencing.

 

[Homesteader82]

That's not bad, I was thinking that I'd need to make it higher. You haven't had any problems?

 

[Tsheaby]

Hi,

We are in the research phase of raising chickens. We're in a rural town; we garden and have several raised beds.

1. What are some suggestions on how to keep them out? Putting a fence around the area may be a little difficult with how the beds are laid out and ease of access for us might be a problem. We're open to suggestions though.
2. Do they pose a problem once the plants are established? We grow about 20 different plants.

I used deer netting! They kept kicking up our seeds and eating all the veggies