Garden bandits

[Austinorpington]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this urban chicken thing and I have a dilemma. I have a garden and my newly planted bell pepper plants had all their leaves eaten down to the stalk. I read chickens are suppose to be garden friendly. I let my girls free range every now and then and I would hate to keep them locked up. Help.:/

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Austinorpington, and

! Great to have you here! My chickens are a garden menace...at least they are with tender green plantings. They really go for fresh greenery after a winter without it. I've found once my garden is established they are better about leaving it alone - from either the plants being more mature and less tasty, or from the chickens having more green options elsewhere. I still have the occasional pecked tomato or zucchini but not much problem. But when sprouts pop out of the ground - look out!! Perhaps it is fence time? Good luck to you!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Well either you have to fence your garden in or the chickens. When harvest is over you can let the flock in to clean up for you.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Like the above posters I recommend fencing the garden, otherwise you will just be feeding the plants to your chickens. Not sure who told you chickens were garden friendly - maybe they said that chickens like gardens, because they sure do like to eat them.

 

[Kepler37]

My thoughts have always been that if I like to eat it my chickens will too. I agree with Diva, its time to either fence the garden or the chickens, sorry.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[Kevin565]