Chickens in Vegtable garden??

[kirkster5]

I am wondering if any of you let your chickens free range in your vegtable garden. I have a 70 by 70 foot fenced in garden and thought the droppings might help fertalize. My concern is that they would eat all the produce(I have 6 chickens 3 RIR's and 3 Ameracauna's). I do have Peas planted and thought I heard somewhere that they are toxic. Any thoughts??

 

[JennsPeeps]

Um yeah... I thought the same thing until this happened:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=69797

Their run is done, and an impromptu fence around the garden has been erected.

If you want poo in your veggie garden, take my advice: compost their droppings and put the poo there yourself!

When it comes time to clean up the garden for the winter, I'll till the soil and let the girls go to town in there. They're dying to get in there anyway!

 

[ZooMummzy]

I'm wondering this same thing as I'm planning an area for a large garden within the next two years. I want to move the coop and run area near it so the chickens can free range in it at least at the end of the season and over winter.

 

[PuffMommy]

i'm no expert but i read somewhere that it is a good idea to let them into the garden at the end of the day so they can fertilize, eat bugs, etc. but not do too much damage...

 

[MsBentleyboy]

Are peas toxic?

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'd be curious to hear what others have experienced. My own veggie garden suffered from my chickens getting in there.

RIP tomato plants... :|

 

[dangerouschicken]

DO NOT LET YOUR CHICKENS IN YOUR GARDEN. THEY WILL EAT IT ALL.

and some veggie greens/plants are bad for them, such as rhubarb, potatoes, and tomatoes.

from one gardener and chicken owner to another: DO NOT DO IT.

 

[PuffMommy]

good to know. we just moved into a place with an extremely overrun (and huge) vegetable garden. i'm letting it all grow out and planning on having the girls level/fertilize it for next year. they are 6 weeks now and i'm still scared to let them out of the run...i guess this is another topic but when are they old enough to free range? i really want them to start getting to work on that garden.

 

[MsBentleyboy]

maybe slightly off subject but if you really want something for your garden try using guineas. They are good at eating the bugs and leaving the plants alone.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
ouch... I've been feeding my chickies potato peelings and I let them eat tomatoes regularly....(I'd never let them in my garden cause I know they'd destroy it)

My chickens LOVE potato peelings and the really fight over tomatoes.

Am I poisoning them?