do chickens eat garden worms? (pics)

[jgervais]

part of the reason I got chicks was to help with our organic garden. We get a lot of tomato worms and some Japanese beetles-- do any of your chicks eat these? Im really hoping so..... I hate those tomato worms!!!

pics our 6 week old chicks in the tilled garden:
http://simplelifeainteasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/organic-gardening.html

 

[Mama2chicks]

In my experience, they will eat any bugs or worms. I would be careful in your garden though once it is planted, they will eat all of it too.

 

[jgervais]

any plants they love most? I can make sure to plant extras.... Im willing to 'sacrifice' a few plants for good pest control

 

[NonnasBabies]

Yep they sure will!! They'll eat all your tomatoes and anything else they can get their beaks on also!!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
It's not the point of sacrificing anything. They will eat, unearth and dig up everything in sight!!I finally had to fence my garden from them. It just wasn't worth it.

ETA: Yours are still babies so it'll be a little while before you have to worry though!!

 

[jgervais]

Quote:
It's not the point of sacrificing anything. They will eat, unearth and dig up everything in sight!!I finally had to fence my garden from them. It just wasn't worth it.

ETA: Yours are still babies so it'll be a little while before you have to worry though!!

hahah great - sounds like Im going from one problem to an even bigger one! Will netting keep them out, or do i need something stronger like an actual fence?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can make a chicken moat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2487204

https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...ns.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=491429&p=2#1088
more threads?

 

[patman75]

Do not let the chickens in the garden unless you dont want any veggie. Fencing or the chicken moat is the way to go.

 

[jgervais]

I feel like i have read so many things (read... i have no experience of my own...) about how great chickens are for organic gardening and they will eat the pests with great joy.... has everyone experience chicken mayhem in their gardens? Im pretty worried now....

http://simplelifeainteasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/organic-gardening.html

 

[Nicole01]

I heard chickens can get gapeworm from earthworms.

Not sure if it's entirely true.