Will the chickens harm my drip system?

[newtoitall]

My yard has no grass - just a permaculture yard with perennial shrubs & flowers all watered by a drip system. Irrigation tubes are “mostly” covered by wood chip mulch, but not all. Will the chickens try to peck at the black tubing and possibly damage it? I’d love to let them out of their coop but I’m worried about this extensive (and expensive!) drip system.

 

[CluckyandPeepsFlock]

Welcome to BYC!

Anywhere chickens have access to, they will-

There is a very good chance they will uncover those irrigation tubes.
Whether or not they will peck it... I am not sure. Although they would probably scratch it and peck any bugs on the tubes.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

My hens have access to my garden, which is watered by drip irrigation, and they don’t bother the tubes at all. I’m not sure how thick your tubing is, if it’s thin they might peck at it, but I wouldn’t think they’d hurt it much. They’ll probably stop pecking at it as soon as they realize they can’t eat it. Really, the only way to test if they’ll bother it is to let them out and watch them for a while, and see if they peck at it. Best of luck to you in your chicken journey