A garden can be quickly destroyed by chickens. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help.
We reap numerous benefits from allowing our chickens to roam freely on our property. They control bugs, aid in the breakdown of mulch and compost, and provide fertilizer. Chickens, on the other hand, can quickly devastate a garden full of young plants and seedlings.
After much experimentation, we have discovered effective ways to maintain a harmonious coexistence between our free-range chickens and our organic garden. The strategies for successfully integrating free-range chickens into your garden will vary depending on the size of your garden, the number and type of chickens you have. It is crucial to try out different approaches to determine the most suitable methods when gardening with free-range chickens.
Here are five tips to consider when gardening with free-range chickens:
Tip 1:Implement fencing as a deterrent for chickens
The simplest way to safeguard your vegetable garden from free-range chickens is to enclose it with fencing. This not only discourages chickens but also prevents other wildlife, such as rabbits and deer deer, feasting on your crops.
If enclosing your entire garden is not feasible, you can fence off specific sections. Alternatively, if you have raised garden beds, you can install wire garden fencing directly within the perimeter of each bed.
In our case, we have a four-foot chain-link fence surrounding our garden on all sides except one. While this deters some chickens, several of them are capable of leaping or flying over it. Although trimming their wings is an option, we have decided to tolerate the presence of chickens in our garden area for the most part. Additionally, since our garden is extensive and serves as a thoroughfare to other parts of the property, it would be challenging to completely fence it off.
Furthermore, we utilize wire garden fencing within the perimeter of each large raised garden bed. While this helps discourage some chickens, it is not entirely effective. Every spring, we roll out and position the fence inside the beds before planting. During late fall, we remove the fence, roll it up, and store it until the next planting season. We also take advantage of the chickens' natural tendency to work compost into the beds, reducing one of our farming tasks.
Tip 2: Keep your seeds and seedlings safe
It can be difficult to keep chickens away from freshly sown seeds and seedlings! It doesn't take much for a chicken's scratching and pecking to displace seeds or seedlings. Wire fencing is an inexpensive and simple way to keep your garden safe!
After planting, place cut sections of welded wire fencing or chicken wire over your plants. Bending the wire slightly will deter chickens from walking on it and provide ample space for your plants to grow. This method is also effective in preventing cats from scratching or using your garden as a litter box.
We utilize wire fencing to safeguard all our newly planted seeds and young plants. Additionally, we create individual chicken wire garden cloches to protect specific plants. You can find instructions on making your own cloches here. Once our plants have grown and established their roots, we remove the wire and cloches, storing them for future use. This approach has been instrumental in maintaining a healthy garden alongside our free-range chickens!
Tip 3: Use branches or rocks to encircle perennial plants, bushes, and flowers
During the day, free range chickens have a couple of favorite spots to hang out in. These areas are usually shaded and protected by a large perennial bush or tree. They will occasionally leave the area undisturbed. However, they will sometimes scratch and use it for dust-bathing, causing large holes in the soil and damaging plant roots.
You can protect your plant's roots by placing stones, rocks, or branches around the base of the plant. This will deter scratching and dust-bathing by the chickens. This is something I've had to do in several of our flower beds, and it works great!
Tip 4: Provide your chickens with their own garden
It's fun to make a "chicken garden" if you have the space. Planting a chicken garden will provide food and entertainment for your free-range chickens! Giving them a garden to explore will also keep them busy, which will keep them from constantly trying to break into your vegetable garden!
Kale, peas, lamb's quarters, buckwheat, chickweed, sunflowers, cucumbers, squash, and corn are just a few of the plants you can grow for your chickens! To help keep your chickens healthy, include hardy herbs like oregano, comfrey, and mint. Near our coops, we grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. It's a hit with the chickens!
Tip 5: Create dust bathing areas
If your chickens are constantly using your garden beds for dust baths, there are a few things you can do to discourage them. Top-dressing your garden beds with a thick layer of mulch (hay, straw, grass clippings, or leaves work well) will reduce dust and deter chickens. Ground cover plants such as purslane, alyssum, nasturtium, creeping thyme, chickweed, strawberries, or Dutch white clover can also be grown.
I've also discovered that setting up a dust bath area near the garden is beneficial! We built two small raised beds for our potato plants two years ago. The chickens quickly began using them for dust baths. I finally gave up and let them use them to dust themselves. Surprisingly, they now only use those beds and ignore the rest of my garden beds! In my opinion, that's not a bad compromise!
In conclusion,
Incorporating free-range chickens into your gardening routine can be a beneficial and rewarding experience.
By following these five gardening tips for free-range chickens, you can strike a harmonious balance between a flourishing garden and happy, healthy chickens.
Firstly, designate specific areas for your chickens to roam freely while keeping them away from delicate plants and vegetables. This can be achieved by using fencing or creating designated pathways. Providing them with their own space will protect your garden while still allowing the chickens to enjoy their freedom.
Secondly, embrace the natural pest control abilities of free-range chickens. They are excellent at foraging and can help control common garden pests like snails, slugs, and insects. Encourage their natural behavior by allowing them access to areas where pests are present, such as overgrown corners or sections with insect infestations.
Thirdly, strategically place chicken manure in your garden to harness its valuable nutrients. Chickens naturally fertilize the soil with their droppings, which are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Avoid applying fresh manure directly to plants, as it can burn them. Instead, compost the manure for a few months before spreading it over the soil as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Fourthly, protect your plants from chicken damage by utilizing physical barriers or plant covers. This can be especially important when it comes to young seedlings or delicate plants that chickens may find tempting. Utilize wire cages or netting to shield vulnerable plants, allowing them to grow undisturbed while still giving the chickens access to the surrounding areas.
Lastly, incorporate plants that provide shade and foraging opportunities for your chickens. Trees, shrubs, and certain ground covers can create shaded areas where chickens can escape from the heat while also offering them a diverse range of edible plants. Consider planting fruit trees, berry bushes, or herbs that are safe for chickens to consume.
By implementing these five gardening tips for free-range chickens, you can cultivate a garden that thrives alongside your feathered friends. Not only will you enjoy the beauty and abundance of a well-maintained garden, but you'll also witness the joyful interaction between chickens and the natural environment.
With a little planning and consideration, your garden and chickens can coexist in harmony, providing you with fresh produce, pest control, and the joy of observing nature at its finest.
