Chickens digging up flower garden

[IslaBean]

I have a lovely flock of five girls. However, I’ve been a little bit upset with them lately. I’m putting in new flowers by the house and my girls keep pulling them up. I’ve had to replant them several times by now. How do I stop this behavior? I can’t just keep them locked up all day.

 

[TheRusticRebel]

We fenced off part of out backyard for them for just this reason. They dug up a couple azaleas and my thyme bush. Jerks. They have a good bit of yard still to roam so I dont feel a bit bad. I thought about just fencing off the flowers but theyd just hope over something low enough for me to still enjoy my flowerbeds. They dont seem to care about jumping over the 5 ft welded wire fence we put up.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I'll be watching this thread because i am interested in creative solutions.
I myself just expanded my run size and I put as many fun things for them as possible. I also hear people let them out 1-2 hours before the sun goes down to limit their time out. Thought that was smart. I don't. Just once in a while.
I absolutely love my girls and forgive them just about everything. Even eating ALL of my beautiful potted succulents and making my planted flower beds look like mars. I even forgive them for raiding my veggie garden seedling when someone leaves the gate open. I just figure gardens and chickens... pick one. I can't figure out how to be that 'home and garden' photo. Chickens are like big feathery locust.

 

[IslaBean]

I'll be watching this thread because i am interested in creative solutions.
I myself just expanded my run size and I put as many fun things for them as possible. I also hear people let them out 1-2 hours before the sun goes down to limit their time out. Thought that was smart. I don't. Just once in a while.
I absolutely love my girls and forgive them just about everything. Even eating ALL of my beautiful potted succulents and making my planted flower beds look like mars. I even forgive them for raiding my veggie garden seedling when someone leaves the gate open. I just figure gardens and chickens... pick one. I can't figure out how to be that 'home and garden' photo. Chickens are like big feathery locust.

“big feathery locust” I agree!

 

[IslaBean]

I’m thinking about setting up a sprinkler for now. Would that drive them away? Also this wouldn’t be a permanent solution because I can’t leave a sprinkler going all day long.

 

[CT Coop]

If digging around the roots is the main problem, I put 4-5 inch rocks around the base of all newly planted perennials and berry bushes. You could also use bricks or anything heavy, so digging won't disturb. Once the roots are established it usually isn't a problem. My girls have a 100' run, but still want to be with me in the garden and I appreciate all the grubs they eat, so I just have to figure out what works for each plant. I also plant any extra tomato plants in there run protected by large cages, so they can't dig them up, but when the tomatoes are coming on, they are allowed to pick their own. I also have pyramid cages so that when large groups of annuals are planted they have a week or 2 to establish and after that they don't bother them....unless, of course, they are tasty, then I don't plant those again. It is work and the pyramids were pricey, but so worth it as I use them to protect so many things....including broody hens and newly hatched chicks

 

[trumpeting_angel]

They are chickens. They scratch and they love seedlings! It’s not personal!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Realistically you either fence them in somewhere, or fence them out of somewhere. The picture perfect image that people have in their heads of chickens idly wandering through a lush meadow is... usually staged.

I’m thinking about setting up a sprinkler for now. Would that drive them away?

If you could some sort of motion detector attached to the sprinkler that may deter them to some extent. Whether or not that keeps them away long term is another thing.

 

[PetitePlume]

I’m thinking about setting up a sprinkler for now. Would that drive them away? Also this wouldn’t be a permanent solution because I can’t leave a sprinkler going all day long.

Don't they make some with some kind of a magic eye??? Just remember to turn it off before you kneel down to pull weeds

 

[TropicalBabies]

If digging around the roots is the main problem, I put 4-5 inch rocks around the base of all newly planted perennials and berry bushes. You could also use bricks or anything heavy, so digging won't disturb. Once the roots are established it usually isn't a problem. My girls have a 100' run, but still want to be with me in the garden and I appreciate all the grubs they eat, so I just have to figure out what works for each plant. I also plant any extra tomato plants in there run protected by large cages, so they can't dig them up, but when the tomatoes are coming on, they are allowed to pick their own. I also have pyramid cages so that when large groups of annuals are planted they have a week or 2 to establish and after that they don't bother them....unless, of course, they are tasty, then I don't plant those again. It is work and the pyramids were pricey, but so worth it as I use them to protect so many things....including broody hens and newly hatched chicks

I'd love to see photos