No eggs and destroying plants

[emilythestrange]

I have 4 silkies
2 male 2 female
They are getting on well and stick together and cuddle up at night in the boxes

I bought a new cowslip and a dianthus pinks.
The white male silkie has eaten all the flowers off the dianthus. And the cowslip has been massacred
They are free range

what can I do to encourage eggs and to discourage the plant habits

 

[CluckerFamily]

You can put a cage or chicken wire cage around the plants. With free ranging, they will eat lots of plants.

 

[MissE]

Either contain the chickens or contain the plants. Also, when free ranging, there may be hidden nests. Or they just aren't old enough yet.

 

[BDutch]

If you like a garden with really nice flowers from the shop you better keep the chickens in a large run and not free range them.

Reason nr 1: If you buy plants in a warehouse they are probably treated with herbicides and pesticides. And poisonous for you’re chickens.

Reason nr 2: If the chickens have access to the flower beds they destroy some of the roots because of the scratching
And the chickens will eat all the tasty plants. But they don’t eat all of them if there are plenty strong plants.

 

[CluckerFamily]

One idea that works for my annuals, is to take a metal hanging basket, wrap the basket part in chicken wire and place upside down over the plant. Depending on how determined your raptors are, you may have to use lawn staples to hold the basket in place.

 

[MissE]

If you like a garden with really nice flowers from the shop you better keep the chickens in a large run and not free range them.

Reason nr 1: If you buy plants in a warehouse they are probably treated with herbicides and pesticides. And poisonous for you’re chickens.

Reason nr 2: If the chickens have access to the flower beds they destroy some of the roots because of the scratching
And the chickens will eat all the tasty plants. But they don’t eat all of them if there are plenty strong plants.

Reason 3, contrary to popular belief, chickens are not smart enough to know what's good to eat. There was a thread the other day about a chicken that ate a bunch of bb's and a screw, and they will destroy a piece of styrofoam faster than you can blink.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Adding that Silkies are not known for being great layers....

 

[BDutch]

Reason 3, contrary to popular belief, chickens are not smart enough to know what's good to eat. There was a thread the other day about a chicken that ate a bunch of bb's and a screw, and they will destroy a piece of styrofoam faster than you can blink.

IMO chickens (in general) are smart enough as long as plants are involved.. But you are right, they seem to have no instincts for hazardous unnatural things.

 

[AntiqueB]

Fencing or chicken wire around the plants, doing a vertical garden, or confining the chickens to a run. They will eat all the flowers and leaves, then scratch up the roots. I plant in boxes in a vertical garden, and let them have at it after I harvest. I also plant some forage for them in a couple boxes covered with chicken wire.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC!

The only way to keep chickens from eating the tasty plants is to put a fence between the chickens and the tasty plants.

I'm afraid that silkies are not known as good layers. They tend to lay a few eggs and than go broody.

Also, with only 2 hens for 2 roosters there is almost certainly going to be trouble. While individual birds and situations vary, the usual ratio of males to females is 1 rooster for every 8-12 hens. Also, while *sometimes* two roosters will be willing to share a flock, it is much more likely that they will fight.

What are your goals for chicken-keeping? What is your coop and set-up like? We'll be happy to help you figure out how to meet those goals and be happy with your chickens.