Chicken Coop location.

[draaronr]

I live on a one acre lot in a private neighborhood and I already have a garden. I want to get about 6 to 10 chickens for pets/eggs. I was thinking of putting the coop in the same area as the garden. Will they A)keep the garden free of pests and weeds or B) destroy my vegetables ?
I am hoping to start design of my coop and construction so that I can get the chicks early and start spending time with them and getting them comfortable around us.

 

[SeaChick]

B..... they are a lot more destructive than I thought they'd be!!

People do use them for gardening, by making a portable pen that sits between the rows and can be moved about, or using temporary fencing....

In our yard I have just come to the realization that the main area they forage is not going to look perfect. Our 6 girls have only been allowed in the area for a couple hours a day since late September, but already all the hostas are completely leafless, no mulch stays in place, and the grass is looking a bit barren!

On the other hand, it's so lovely to have them in the yard, and we love the eggs and compost, so it's worth it!

Stacey

 

[Scrambled Egg]

I agree with seachick, they are chicken hoovers!! They will vacuum up everything green within their reach and even do that kanagaroo straight up and down jumping to get what isn't in their reach!! Near your garden in a pen, yes, in your garden means you will have no garden!!

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Yes to both , B sue put her tomatoes and and pepperplants in large pots off the ground on a rack I built and dang if they didn't form a pyramid or something and strip the bottom half of one of her pepper plants, It looks like a palm tree now!