Gardens & Chickens Mixed

[marktoo]

I have found it is better to use chickens as the clean up crew after the garden is spent rather than giving them access to your working garden. What they don't eat they will destroy. You can use chunnels ( chicken tunnel) or a tractor to put them on an empty bed if it needs to be worked during the growing season.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...k/chicken-manure-fertilizer-zm0z13amzkon.aspx

 

[A Lucky Ladybug]

And that is exactly what I was thinking....putting the beds up a bit higher and even with some fencing if need be. I am going to check out that link so thank you for sharing. I think there are going to be pro's and cons to every scenario plus it depends on the birds personality. I am an avid gardener and this is my first year with chickens so I want to incorporate it all together.

 

[A Lucky Ladybug]

Also, is what they eat or turn up their beaks to as chicks a good indication of the future eating habits? My chicks have zero interest in apples or carrots so far and only seem to appeal to greens or bugs/worms.

 

[triplepurpose]

Also, is what they eat or turn up their beaks to as chicks a good indication of the future eating habits?  My chicks have zero interest in apples or carrots so far and only seem to appeal to greens or bugs/worms.

Not necessarily, they can learn to like new things but you still want to get them used to the things they'll be eating later on now, to make things easier. Also realize that, as scavenging omnivores, What they go for at any given time is also influenced by what they need to consume nutritionally at that time--not just irrational preferences. It's no surprise a growing chick is going to go for a bug over a carrot if given the choice, when the former has abundantly more protein and fat-soluble vitamins that it needs...