Sussex chickens don't tear up the garden? Really?

[vispania]

I just read that sussex don't tear up your garden. That sounds too good to be true. Any experience with that? We have Amaracauna and they make a huge mess. Thinking maybe if we get a Sussex rooster they will be less destructive?

Dan

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Where did you read that? Breed is not the issue - any chicken has the potential to cause destruction in a garden - it's more a matter of what you are planting/growing and what you consider "tear up".

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Also - welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

Hi Dan! I know my Speckled Sussex were right in the thick of the flock gorging themselves on my kale in the garden, lol. Bad girls. Between the RIR, Easter Egger, Barred Plymouth Rock and red sex links, those SS girls got their share for sure!

If there's some type of plant you don't want your chickens to mess with (eat, scratch around, etc.) you best put some type of barrier up...either to keep the birds confined to a specific area or to protect your plants.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Dan

Welcome!

In my experience, I have found that my feather footed girls cause less damage in the garden than the non-feather footed. Having said that, if they want it and they can get to it, it is history!

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[drumstick diva]

I think the others have given you some good advice. It's natural for a chicken to dig and scratch up soil, plants, anything looking for food. It's called foraging and they do that well.

You really do have to fence important plants to keep the chickens out. Some folks like to turn the chickens loose when they are starting to prepare a garden. They will thoroughly turn the soil over for you. At the end of harvest they will clean up your garden plot. And their droppings will help enrich the soil for the next year.

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello there, and welcome to the community! I am pleased you could join us, I do hope you will make yourself at home here and enjoy yourself here as much as I have!

~Cuz

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Pleased you joined us! I know my Ss's do!! I think a chicken is a chicken generally and scratching and digging is as natural to them as breathing. Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!!

 

[Gray Farms]

Hello and Welcome. Your right....Any thing that sounds to good to be true usually isn't. All chickens will dig, unless they have no feet.