keeping chickens out of the flower beds

[edfunderburke]

I have litterly "stumbled" onto the solution for keeping my free-range flock out of my flower beds and away from my shrubbery mulch.

Cover mulch with a layer of pine cones....It seems that chickens don't like walking on pine cones any more than humans do......

Foer large beds, just put a row of pine cones around the outer edges......4-5 cones wide......IT WORKS!!!!!

 

[OurLittleChickenFarm]

Thanks! I'll try that idea too in the iris bed. I have an idea too that works great too. It is a little work but worth it. We have been reworking fences and I was looking at a roll of rusted wire. Hmmmmm........wonder if I put that down over the plants. I cut it into managable sections and laid it over the plants while they were still dormant. The plants (day lilies) came up through the wire. The chickens don't scratch - the mulch stays put - and I breath a sigh of relief knowing I don't have to worry. The rusty wire isn't visable unless you get close enough. It lays flat and more mulch can be added on top when needed. The sections can be removed when the plants go dormant. The wire I'm using is the net type with about 4 inch squares. I'm planning to use an asparagus weeder when needed to keep it free of weeds.