California - Northern

[member 142084]

Quote: I keep ind out of the garden . They do more than tear it up. They completely dug up my plants. We turn them out to pasture and a "chicken herder' Has to stay out with them. I just feed them all my weeds and any tomato worms I may find. But I use organic meas to reduce insects and my garden does great. I didn't have a good bean crp because the hens removed them when they snuck in. But yes doing it right is important. They are pretty happy birds when thy get goodies and you talk to them.

You will like this XD

 

[ronott1]

There was a post from someone up by Crescent City that wanted chickens. I have a contact from Southern Oregon that might be able to help.

Send me a PM.

 

[UrbanFarming]

I'll have to add De Laveaga to my places to hike list. We like to hike Wilder Ranch but they probably don't allow dogs there, either. How many chickens are you allowed to have in Santa Cruz? We live in town now but have our breeding flocks (except the Pita Pintas) at a friend's farm in Brentwood. So far, it is working well. I've purchased most of the chickens and paid for the pens. Her kids feed, water, and collect the eggs. I hatch & will sell some of the eggs and they eat/sell the rest. We both contribute to the feed cost and we process the extra roos.

What a cool set up/arrangement you have there! We're allowed a total of 6 animals, including cats and dogs according to this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/santa-cruz-california-chicken-ordinance I have no idea how closely they actually monitor/enforce this rule. Im starting with 4 - which technically puts me at 7 animals: 1 cat, 2 dogs, 4 chickens - but I figured I'd take the chances. I'm sure as long as the neighbors don't complain it won't be an issue.

I'm also hoping they won't completely destroy my veggie garden when I let them roam free. I guess I'll have to wait and see and put up some sort of fencing if they do.

ETA: We love Wilder! And you're right, no dogs. Ugh. We like to take the trail from the farm up to UCSC and back. It is a beautiful hike and a great workout!

 

[PetRock]

What a cool set up/arrangement you have there! We're allowed a total of 6 animals, including cats and dogs according to this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/santa-cruz-california-chicken-ordinance I have no idea how closely they actually monitor/enforce this rule. Im starting with 4 - which technically puts me at 7 animals: 1 cat, 2 dogs, 4 chickens - but I figured I'd take the chances. I'm sure as long as the neighbors don't complain it won't be an issue.

I'm also hoping they won't completely destroy my veggie garden when I let them roam free. I guess I'll have to wait and see and put up some sort of fencing if they do.

ETA: We love Wilder! And you're right, no dogs. Ugh. We like to take the trail from the farm up to UCSC and back. It is a beautiful hike and a great workout!

We take the hike from the other way. We park along the highway, hop the fence, hike to the farm and keep on going to the ocean then along the ocean. There is one beach that has fairy grottos into the hill with all kinds of ferns. Love it!

 

[manychitlens]

Welcome to the thread. Never too early to join but beware... this forum is full of enablers!!

Thank you so much! I don't know if you saw my other post about your chickens, but my kids are obsessed with your orpington video. They can't get enough!

I keep ind out of the garden . They do more than tear it up. They completely dug up my plants. We turn them out to pasture and a "chicken herder' Has to stay out with them. I just feed them all my weeds and any tomato worms I may find. But I use organic meas to reduce insects and my garden does great. I didn't have a good bean crp because the hens removed them when they snuck in. But yes doing it right is important. They are pretty happy birds when thy get goodies and you talk to them.

You will like this XD

Ah yes, I've seen this video. I laughed because I KNOW that this will be me.

We have our actual veggie garden fenced already because of the dogs, but I'm hoping that I can set up enough plants in the chicken garden that they won't tear it up too quickly. We shall see. It's probably a pipe dream, haha. I'll likely let them out into the whole yard (except the veggies) when I'm home and the dogs are inside. I'm excited!

 

[PetRock]

Thank you so much! I don't know if you saw my other post about your chickens, but my kids are obsessed with your orpington video. They can't get enough!


Ah yes, I've seen this video. I laughed because I KNOW that this will be me.

We have our actual veggie garden fenced already because of the dogs, but I'm hoping that I can set up enough plants in the chicken garden that they won't tear it up too quickly. We shall see. It's probably a pipe dream, haha. I'll likely let them out into the whole yard (except the veggies) when I'm home and the dogs are inside. I'm excited!

We keep our garden fenced in because our chickens would destroy it in no time at all. They have completely weeded any unfenced in area! I used to have a problem with ivy on the house and rampant growing ice plant but they took care of all of it for me! I do grow chicken forage in trays with screen lids so they have access to greens without being able to destroy the plants.

 

[TJChickens]

Wow PetRock, those trays are awesome. I think I'll have to put the kids to work making some!

 

[PetRock]

Wow PetRock, those trays are awesome. I think I'll have to put the kids to work making some!

My husband thanks you!

We buy the black plastic trays at Lowes or Home Depot. DH just made me some more tops and used straight pruned tree branches (about 1 1/2 in diameter) for the side pieces. He is pretty proud of his creative reuse of branches.

This is the chicken forage blend that I usually plant. Sometimes I also plant my sprouting seeds (oats, barley, wheat, BOSS bird seed).

http://www.groworganic.com/omega-3-chicken-forage-blend-irrigated.html

 

[capayvalleychick]

Okay so I have a question (the first of many, I'm sure). The section of yard that we are planning on using for the enclosed chicken garden backs up to a neighbor with huge oleanders. We try to keep them cut back from our fence, but inevitably some of the debris from the bushes comes into our yard. I've been searching for info about this regarding chickens. Obviously I know that they are very poisonous, but does anyone have any personal experience with them?

Maybe the chickens will leave them alone, maybe not. I would be more concerned about your children picking up the leaves and putting their hands in their mouth. Oleanders are so highly toxic, livestock frequently die from accidentally ingesting the dry leaves.
See if your neighbor will keep them trimmed. Maybe explain your concern for your kids.

 

[TJChickens]

My husband thanks you!

We buy the black plastic trays at Lowes or Home Depot. DH just made me some more tops and used straight pruned tree branches (about 1 1/2 in diameter) for the side pieces. He is pretty proud of his creative reuse of branches.

This is the chicken forage blend that I usually plant. Sometimes I also plant my sprouting seeds (oats, barley, wheat, BOSS bird seed).

http://www.groworganic.com/omega-3-chicken-forage-blend-irrigated.html

Thank you for the info! What are these trays normally used for? Sprouting, or something else? I might also try this for our tortoises!
Thanks for that link!