Landscaping and Plantings for a Free Range Flock

[PajamaGardener]

So has anyone else run into trouble by letting their girls help dig over the soil when you are preparing new beds? Mine gorged themselves on earthworms and goodness knows what else, and one of them ended up getting sour crop and the runs. Would that have been from overindulging or from eating long grass through the fence?

 

[Pypwr]

Where did everybody go? Hot & humid here. I have dense shade in the bird/dog yard. Grass doesn't grow well. Over the years I've let my liriope ( Monkey grass) spread & take over. Stays green all year, blooms and holds up to dog/ bird poop & traffic. Here is Annie enjoying it.

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Thank you for this pic. I'm considering planting in in my goose run. They love anything green.

 

[Wynter Willow]

Hi Bogtown Chick

You have beautiful chickens, a beautiful garden and the pictures are awesome!

I have opted for mostly potted plants in the garden for a couple of reasons. 1. Water conservation in the Australian climate and 2. Not so easy for the little bantam girls to dig out the plants. I am more of a green person as opposed to flowers so tend to sway more towards large leaves and grasses:



They have their own garden beds and sweeping of the paths is a daily exercise

It was a bit windy when I took this one so the bridge and paths are covered in leaves:


They also have lawn:



And probably their favourite spot for chilling, on the decking [aka: poop deck

], under their gazebo with their people:

What a beautiful garden and home for your chickens. I am new to chickens. I have herbs planted in pots for my girls. I covered the soil with their hemp bedding to discourage them from getting into the potting soil. I am wondering what else I can put atop the plants to prevent them from digging but allow them to forage. My girls are indoor outdoor bantam Cochins. I am thinking maybe large stones might work?