Chicken proof planting

[MamasitaChicka]

I need help! It's finally spring in NH, and I'm looking to get a jump on my yard work/gardening- but my free range chickens are soooo destructive! I only have 6, but they're proficient excavaters. Any suggestions for saving my flower beds (and sanity) while maintaining pastured hens? I have a run in the works, but I'd still like to let them free some.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Well, when you do figure out how you can accomplish this difficult task, let us all know! My chickens completely destroyed two garden areas a few years ago and STILL nothing is growing out there. LOL

Enjoy your birds and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Ya, chickens are incredible earth movers. I have become fond of rock gardens. You could try electric fence or poultry netting if you don't want permanent fencing.

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! You have to fence them out of the area. Good luck to you.

 

[gander007]

 

[5eggladies]

I have been searching online for plants they won't eat. Even if they don't eat them, they will scratch around the base and kill them, so I put a ring of rocks around each growing thing. Make sure the rocks are at least a lb or so each. This will keep the base of the plant protected against the excavating! I leave a few beds where they can scratch uninhibited. Bottom line: they love digging!