Having a veggie garden and raising chickens....those who do, give me you best ideas as to get them t

[jenniemig]

Raised beds are just a little different and it's according to how high they are raised. If low, they will treat them like much of the forage area. If high, they might hop up into them to glean bugs or nip some fruit but they won't stay there and steadily forage unless it's a very large, wide bed.

You might have your coop at the edge of the garden, fence them alongside the garden area and then use your garden area for pasture rotation at the end of the season. Some people fence the garden and place fencing around the garden fence about 4-6 ft. out and make a "moat" style paddock wherein the bugs all around the garden have to run the gauntlet of the birds before getting to the garden.

Bee, my garden this year will be in the ground (first time for me), along with 4 of my 4'WX8'LX12"H raised beds. The raised beds will be on either side of the garden and are going to be used only for herbs, onions, and the other 2 in flowers to attract the pollinators. The garden is going to be 30'X50' with very wide row spacing for easy maneuverability. The ground will also be covered with nursery fabric, which will not be chicken scratch friendly, but I can't control weeds in an area that large without it.

I like your moat idea. I could move the sturdy fence out farther and put a smaller less expensive fence right around the big garden.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, my garden this year will be in the ground (first time for me), along with 4 of my 4'WX8'LX12"H raised beds. The raised beds will be on either side of the garden and are going to be used only for herbs, onions, and the other 2 in flowers to attract the pollinators. The garden is going to be 30'X50' with very wide row spacing for easy maneuverability. The ground will also be covered with nursery fabric, which will not be chicken scratch friendly, but I can't control weeds in an area that large without it.

I like your moat idea. I could move the sturdy fence out farther and put a smaller less expensive fence right around the big garden.

That would work. You could also just put the nursery fabric just in the beds and then plant your pathways to white dutch clover to keep moisture in the soils, to fix nitrogen and to attract honey bees and provide habitat for other beneficial insects. That way, when the chickens are turned into the garden later they have other things to eat besides your plants.

 

[jenniemig]

That would work. You could also just put the nursery fabric just in the beds and then plant your pathways to white dutch clover to keep moisture in the soils, to fix nitrogen and to attract honey bees and provide habitat for other beneficial insects. That way, when the chickens are turned into the garden later they have other things to eat besides your plants.

More good ideas, thanks

Wondering what part of West Virginia you're in? I'm do a lot of genealogy research on my Dad's side of the family right now. He is from the Guyandotte/Huntington area. I am now working on finding Ohio records for my great-great grandfather, which is proving impossible! I am planning a research trip up there as soon as the cold weather has passed.

 

[Beekissed]

More good ideas, thanks

Wondering what part of West Virginia you're in? I'm do a lot of genealogy research on my Dad's side of the family right now. He is from the Guyandotte/Huntington area. I am now working on finding Ohio records for my great-great grandfather, which is proving impossible! I am planning a research trip up there as soon as the cold weather has passed.

I'm living in Ritchie County(mid west) right now but my Dad is from Wyoming County(southern). For the past several years I've been living in Pendleton County(mid east), which is where my heart is in this state.

 

[jenniemig]

I'm living in Ritchie County(mid west) right now but my Dad is from Wyoming County(southern). For the past several years I've been living in Pendleton County(mid east), which is where my heart is in this state.

It is a beautiful place, I lived there (Huntington) briefly as a child, then again (Ironton Ohio) to take care of an aunt that was ill. Matter of fact I was there during the blizzard of 1996. I lived on a 2000 acre farm that bordered Wayne National Forrest. My boys were little then and LOVED playing in the fields, woods, and hollers. So many good memories, but all of my family there (the ones that we speak to, long story) have passed. I am going to do some research and visit cemeteries.

 

[Beekissed]

I like Huntington as a town...easy to get around and has that river culture, but can't say as I like Charleston very much. It is a beautiful state, some areas more than others, and I can't imagine what it would be like not to live near mountains.

 

[jenniemig]

I like Huntington as a town...easy to get around and has that river culture, but can't say as I like Charleston very much. It is a beautiful state, some areas more than others, and I can't imagine what it would be like not to live near mountains.

Absolutely gorgeous!

My view is mostly pine trees and scrub oaks, and very very flat land. As busy as I am I only manage to see the ocean a few times a year. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics. Didn't mean to hijack the thread