Free ranging....in my FLOWERBEDS!!!

[chookies]

I also use rocks.

The pretty river rocks worked last year; not this--chooks discovered they are smooth and easy to kick away. So now plants are surrounded with sharper rocks and stones. For new plants, I use scraps of chicken wire, or anything like laid down flat until I get the rocks arranged just so (I have LOTS o' rocks I have collected).

I also have a six-foot bamboo pole I use to deter them. Usually all I have to do is pick it up and just walk toward them. They see that (or a shovel or hoe), and mischief stops. Usually a sharp "OUT" does the trick. I have leaned the pole against where I am (or have been) working, and just seeing that pole makes them think twice.

Ah, those chooks....

 

[CMV]

Citrusdreams and Chookies, I know this is a little off subject, but how do you like top-dressing with stone? Does it really seem to deter the chickens? How about the weed preventative properties? I only use mulch because I hate weeding, does the stone work for weed prevention as well? I am getting some more birds and I have extensive gardens that I would like to keep. I had thought about top-dressing with stone, but don't know anyone who does it. So, any input would be appreciated.

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
My feathered children LOVE my flowerbeds and have torn my hostas to shreds and are also working on my hydrangeas. I also LOVE my flowers (we have spent a LOT of time, money and hard work on them over the past 13 years), but since our house was foreclosed on and we have to move soon, I could really care less WHAT they tear up at this point, so I just let them go at it. They have a huge dust bathing hole dug out under one of the hydrangeas and I just love watching them have a blast in it!