Gardens and chickens living harmoniously

[massiveme]

We started to free range out chickens this year and quickly realized why the previous owners kept them cooped. They destroy the garden. We have several beds of flowers and all are desomated.

Any tips and tricks on how to keep them out? Id love to keep free ranging them.

 

[chiques chicks]

Fences around what you don't want them to eat. They will decimate most foliage.

 

[DigMyChicks]

Surround them with chicken wire? I only had a couple in my flowers but I got after them right away and they haven't bothered them since. They haven't found the garden yet but if they do there will be no hope for my tomatoes as they love them....then we will do the chicken wire thing with stakes.

 

[chiques chicks]

My garden is surrounded by 5' welded wire to keep critters out, but chicken wire will keep chickens out. I suggest 4' if possible. It doesn't have to be nearly as sturdy if you are keeping chickens contained as compared to keeping raccoons out.

 

[the chickenator]

I made a nice 20x30 run on the back of my chickens coop, kind of in the woods. They stay in there from when I plant my garden, until almost all is harvested in the fall. After that, I open the door on the front of their run, and they free range fall, winter, and spring(until planting time again).

I thought about fencing in my garden, but my neighbors also have a garden, and my chickens get into their flowers and garden, so this made sense in my situation

 

[lazy gardener]

I think my favorite part of garden season is after it's harvested enough so the chickens can go in to glean. They get such pleasure out of it!!!

 

[shortgrass]

I made a nice 20x30 run on the back of my chickens coop, kind of in the woods.  They stay in there from when I plant my garden, until almost all is harvested in the fall.  After that, I open the door on the front of their run, and they free range fall, winter, and spring(until planting time again).  

I thought about fencing in my garden, but my neighbors also have a garden, and my chickens get into their flowers and garden, so this made sense in my situation

That's pretty much what I do too lol... There's no way to keep them out once they find it.. I have free rangers that still sneak in there, but 6 free rangers versus 28 pigs,...I can handle until the fall, then they get to have at it

 

[chiques chicks]

My garden is fenced, there is a common fence with my run. There is an access hole in the fence so when I'm done with the garden, it becomes extended run for the late fall and winter.