flower problem....

[chicknmania]

My chickens have discovered my begonias, and are eating the flowers and petals. Will it hurt them? I would guess not, cause, they've been doing it for a few days. But are there any kind of small flowers that they won't eat? We do have some types of flowering ground covers and larger flowers that they don't touch. Could I try impatiens, or will they eat those, too???!!!

 

[robbobbin]

They probably think you planted them for them to eat...lol
My girls ate my impatience also, so they'll probably eat yours too. Their either eating my flowers or dust bathing in my flower beds and crushing my new starts...gotta love 'em-or they'd be soup!

 

[cookinmom]

I think they will eat anything they can reach! At least a nibble! I have found something they don't like, though == basil and mint.

 

[okiechick57]

my chickens make a mess of all my hard work in my flower beds. I no longer use any wood mulch,it was like it came with a sign....come and get it.......was everywhere. I just covered my strawberry patch.....so I just may get ONE strawberry for me this year........I have blue flax,morning glories,four o'clocks and hyacinth vine around the coop now.and so far,they are leaving all of thos alone.most other flowers and plants have some very distinct "hen butt" spots

 

[chicknmania]

Well, it's good to know at least I'm not alone! Our chickens looked at a dusting box we made for them in the barn like "what the heck do you want us to do with that???" They much prefer our garden, for dusting, too. We thought pine chunk mulch might discourage them last year (lol); they did a good job of mulching our yard. I am thinking of trying river rock to keep them from dusting and scratching in the dirt...last year we tried garden fence...they just stood on it til they bent it down, hopped over, or just tripped on it. I guess they provide their own form of yard decoration...our guests are always fascinated with them, and they ARE colorful! sighhhh....

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Mine don't get in my flower garden (Daylilies, Iris, tall phlox, roses, astilbe, wild ferns, lily of the valley and ground phlox) but they love to dig in my husbands tomatoes. Last year he didn't get one tomato!!

 

[chickbea]

The minute I lay mulch down anywhere, over they come to dig and fling the mulch far and wide. Naughty!

 

[Alleyoops25]

Mine stay away from roses, Irises, tulips, Lilies, and marigolds.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I have read here many flowers and plants (or parts of them) that are toxic when eaten... here is some info for you on which plants are a problem for your birds:
http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=toxicologydisease&action=display&num=1165263379