I read in Storey's Guide to Chickens that chickens must be kept out of vegetable gardens unless you want to risk getting e coli. It says for foods that are root crops or touch the ground, they should not be in the garden for 120 days prior to eating anything from that garden, and for foods like tomatoes and cukes that grow above the ground, you still need to keep the chickens out for 90 days before harvest (so basically from the time you plant). I know they can cause crop damage so for leafy crops like lettuce and things I wouldn't want them in the garden anyway - but I thought it was ok in the other gardens and hoped to let them have access to those to eat bugs and weeds sprouting up. But now I am wondering if that was a mistaken idea unless I want to risk infecting my family with e coli.
I appreaciate any input on this - do you let your chickens into your gardens once the plants are established?
I appreaciate any input on this - do you let your chickens into your gardens once the plants are established?