Chickens in vegetable garden

[Gary palmer]

Whats the best way to keep chickens out of our vegetable garden? I have a three foot fence but they can get up and over with ease. Will be planting soon.

 

[Zoomie]

Well... I keep my chickens in a run. That way I never have to be upset that they are in the garden.

They will sure mess up a garden so you do need to keep them out. What about an electric fence? Premier makes a poultry electric fence that is moveable. Maybe that would work for you?

 

[WindyTam]

--Whats the best way to keep chickens out of our vegetable garden? I have a three foot fence but they can get up and over with ease. Will be planting soon.--

GP: We have been thinking along the same lines around here. Not sure what others do, this will be my first year of dealing with chickens in the garden. I have been letting them roam all over the garden & orchard....I was thinking about putting some fencing over veggie gardens, perhaps bending some chicken wire into some large cloche shaped surrounds...or maybe a "mini high tunnel"...needing more ideas...

 

[venymae]

We used 5 foot welded wire fence and clipped one wing on chicken. Works 90% of the time. Also fed them all lots of veggie scraps so it wasn't such a rare and tempting treat

 

[rosemarythyme]

I surround my garden beds with chicken wire and then top them with bird netting. The netting was enough to deter them from hopping in (they were happily digging up seedlings).

 

[aart]

Whats the best way to keep chickens out of our vegetable garden? I have a three foot fence but they can get up and over with ease. Will be planting soon.

GP: We have been thinking along the same lines around here. Not sure what others do, this will be my first year of dealing with chickens in the garden. I have been letting them roam all over the garden & orchard....I was thinking about putting some fencing over veggie gardens, perhaps bending some chicken wire into some large cloche shaped surrounds...or maybe a "mini high tunnel"...needing more ideas...

Are y'all in the southern hemisphere....or thinking ahead to next year??
Location in profiles people, it's easy then it's always there!

'Fencing them in or out' is about the only way.
Fencing a garden is good for deter other nibbler's too.
It's a lot of work and expense, but can save multitudes of headache, heartbreak, and loss down the road.

 

[GossChicks]

--Whats the best way to keep chickens out of our vegetable garden? I have a three foot fence but they can get up and over with ease. Will be planting soon.--

GP: We have been thinking along the same lines around here. Not sure what others do, this will be my first year of dealing with chickens in the garden. I have been letting them roam all over the garden & orchard....I was thinking about putting some fencing over veggie gardens, perhaps bending some chicken wire into some large cloche shaped surrounds...or maybe a "mini high tunnel"...needing more ideas...

I saw a post where a person suggested deer netting. In search of that we found wildlife netting and installed it today. It came 7 feet by 100 for $15.99 from Lowe’s. It’s very thin plastic 1/4 netting. I have a small garden and we cut it horizontally so it is 3.5 ft high, looks almost invisible. We have a lot left for replacing if necessary and for making a temporary run area.

 

[Chickassan]

That netting is a lifesaver...eh tomatosaver. You don't even have to do that much, iv'e got it secured on tomato stakes. The girls have looked but it looks flimsy "because it is" so they won't jump up. Squirrels and rabbits will chew in on occasion, just patch the holes with netting patches and zip ties.

 

[GossChicks]

Yup. We’re having good luck. Thanks to whomever posts that info originally!

 

[RWise]

I use 4 foot fencing and a dip net. If a bird goes over the fence, first is to get it out, with the dip net. Second is to clip very lightly one wing (I always do the right wing),, a little training goes a long way,,, they hate the dip net!
I kept a small rooster flock in my veggie garden. It was more than a month before they figured out those things (cukes) are treats! LOL