Chickens and organic gardening

[mamaschicken]

Mine free range on 5 acres, woods and a creek as well and unsupervised. Pretty much the way all farmers do it around here. High fencing for veg gardens because chickens WILL get into and make a mess out of gardens. But if you want great tasting meat and eggs it is what we do
My son wants me to keep them fenced in but I honestly don't have the heart. I have too many and have enough land for them to free range on. I WISH they really could be trained but you know, chickens honestly have a personality of their own and even if they have a bad experience, they just repeat it.
In did see a video called "Back to Eden Garden" where this mans chickens were fenced in but he only gave them scraps from the garden....now that is tempting if I could do it through the winter. The free ranging enables me to save so much money because I don't feed them during summer months....only during colder weather. So free ranging is important just as the garden is....both save me money and take care of my family.

 

[TXchickmum]

Wow! 5 acres, woods, and a creek!! Now THAT is the way chickens (and people) are supposed to live, IMO!! I completely envy a set-up like that! -would trade suburbia in a minute for it! You are spot on with regard to free-ranging, gardening, and caring for the family. Yours is an optimal situation (and I personally wouldn't change a thing)!