chickens and flower beds

[rudysmom]

Are there any flowers that chickens won't eat? I've conceded the strawberry bed to them, and have the garden fenced off, but they really went after my flower beds last year. I love having them free range, and had less bugs in the house for sure last year. But I would like to have a few flowers here and there. I have noticed that they leave my shrubs alone and the iris and daylilys.

 

[BeckyLa]

I know your problem!! This year I have found that my birds aren't touching my geraniums and I left some red salvia in pots in the yard to see if they'd eat them and they have not touched them. I thought this year I would set pots of flowers out to see if they'll eat them before I plant. If they love it then I'll leave it in a hanging pot up high since my birds don't fly much.

 

[chickbea]

I can't be of much help, but I do know I haven't had any fresh peas in TWO YEARS because my girls have managed to get into the patch and trashed it before I knew what was happening!
Let's see - I have some Canadian-grown mini roses that get left alone, none of my clematis vines ever get touched, and they don't seem to care for nicotiana. They will pick at pansies and violas, but not really eat them. Lamb's ear is good, chives also. They also show no interest in any of the spring bulbs - tulips, daffs, crocus, hyacinths, etc. Bellflower, beebalm, and my bleeding heart bush are also safe.

 

[merryreader]

Won't the most problem come from them scratching stuff up and dusting in the dirt? I'm glad to hear they don't like bleeding hearts. Bee balm grows quite tall. How about Black Eyed Susans? Merry

 

[chickbea]

Yes, the biggest problem is them scratching up root systems, so any kind of ground cover, or something that develops dense root systems are good. Black-eyed Susans are good, and any of the related coneflowers (as long as they have time to establish themselves first).