Hmm, think before you post.
Fencing is the only way I know of to keep the chickens out of the garden. I don't think they would too kindly to leashes.
Fencing in the house is out. Fencing in the flower beds is out.
My chickens get into anything that seems to offer a cool spot to sit and to scratch which often is amongst the flowers. You can tell where they've been because many of the flowers are trampled. They don't just eat, they look for shade and scratch for insects and other protein supplying critters.
I don't have a backyard and I don't know what the OP's backyard looks like. I have two runs for when I am away. I do have a vegetable garden in progress, the chickens took care of it for me so it is getting fenced in. I have an orchard of sorts. It is getting fenced in and will be the "range" for the chickens unless I am giving them free access to the rest of the yard.
So Steve, make the run as big as you can. Your chickens will appreciate it.
Fencing is the only way I know of to keep the chickens out of the garden. I don't think they would too kindly to leashes.
Fencing in the house is out. Fencing in the flower beds is out.
My chickens get into anything that seems to offer a cool spot to sit and to scratch which often is amongst the flowers. You can tell where they've been because many of the flowers are trampled. They don't just eat, they look for shade and scratch for insects and other protein supplying critters.
I don't have a backyard and I don't know what the OP's backyard looks like. I have two runs for when I am away. I do have a vegetable garden in progress, the chickens took care of it for me so it is getting fenced in. I have an orchard of sorts. It is getting fenced in and will be the "range" for the chickens unless I am giving them free access to the rest of the yard.
So Steve, make the run as big as you can. Your chickens will appreciate it.