The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Save my garden beds Goto page 1, 2  Next          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc Author Message andym01480 Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:25 pm    Post subject: Save my garden beds We have been free ranging our chooks for a while now and the distinction between the beds and the lawn has disappeared! (Not that there was much of one before!!!) Our beds are mainly shrubs, so the plants seem to be surviving. Thankfully they only seem to like Rosemary and that one is huge! How have you folk saved your beds? Is edging worthwhile or will they just kick the mud over?!!! Back to top summayah Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:06 am    Post subject: I don't think you can have thriving chickens AND thriving flowerbeds ~ the two are not mutually compatible. I let mine have the run of the garden in the beginning ~ the first summer they decimated the whole of the garden ~ especially the white flowers for some reason. And the things in pots came in for the biggest bashing I think. My daughter decided I should have a garden of my own not just share the chickens' garden, so we put up some 6' trellis to fence part of it off. I then stapled fine mesh along the bottom foot to stop them sneaking in the bottom. I have to admit that it wasn't 100% successful ~ I did have the few persistent young ladies who were always in there but then shouting to be let out ...couldn't remember where they sneaked in I suppose! (sorry chicken palace ~ those are your girls now). So in the end I had one twentieth of the garden and my lovely girls had the rest . So you could give that a go. It's not unsightly and I've started to grow clematis and climbing roses up mine (on my side you understand). Back to top debcat Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 8856 Location: Isle of Lewis Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:10 am    Post subject: montbresia is chicken proof and michalmas daisies they've never touched Back to top andym01480 Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:56 am    Post subject: Excellent - love both. Anything else? Back to top CP Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 16285 Location: Hampshire Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:35 am    Post subject: I did have a little laugh when I read this post Andy! Chickens & nice gardens don't mix if you let them free range. Having said that, they do tend to leave some plants alone. Do you want a list of what mine don't eat? There's quite a lot actually. Back to top andym01480 Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:33 pm    Post subject: Yes please Back to top CP Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 16285 Location: Hampshire Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:31 pm    Post subject: OK, you asked for it! Mine don't eat the montbretia, but they do trample it down a bit. They don't touch Rosemary, or Lavenders. Rose of Sharon (I think that's what it's called) Aquilegia, Virburnum, Roses, Lilac, Buddleia, Kerria, Euonymous, Feverfew, Penstemon, Peony, Iris, Clematis, Chrysanthemum, Bergenia, Agapanthus, Marigold, Tulips, Daffodils, Fritillaria, St. Johns Wort, Golden Rod, Ice Plant, Solomon's Seal, Euphorbia, Geranium, Pelargonium, Fuschia, Weigela, Skimmia, Santolina, Azalea, Pieris, Pittosporum, Potentilla, Hydrangea, Hebe, Hibiscus, Forsythia, Cotoneaster, Broom, Choisya, Ceanothus, Caryopteris, Callicarpa. They will eat Pansy, Wallflowers, low growing Stonecrop, Hosta, Muscari - mine are all gone. This is just my experience though, your chickens may have different taste buds! You may get the odd pecking of anything as they choose what they like to eat. They do seem to peck at flowers though. My fuchsia did suffer a bit on that front. Hope that helps you a little! Back to top andym01480 Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:58 pm    Post subject: That's helpful! Mine haven't touched the dog daisies, hebe or lavender but keep trying the rosemary - which is huge. Me thinks I need a shrubbery! Back to top summayah Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 12:09 am    Post subject: yes I think you do, it certainly seems like they leave the woodier plants alone. Back to top AtomicRooster Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 995 Location: Hampshire Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:56 pm    Post subject: Have we got that lot CP ?? Back to top debcat Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 8856 Location: Isle of Lewis Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:04 pm    Post subject: take it you don't do the gardening then AR Back to top AtomicRooster Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 995 Location: Hampshire Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:14 pm    Post subject: i do as i am told Back to top andym01480 Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 132 Location: King's Lynn Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:28 pm    Post subject: No hope now - my pots are dustbaths!!!! But the lawn edge has been saved by funky edging! Mow I need to get the plants they don't eat!!! Back to top nigel Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 2500 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:42 pm    Post subject: ROFL that is fantastic Back to top bird_babe Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 473 Location: wales Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:37 pm    Post subject: You could always try planting stingy`s . contrary to what books tell you chickens hate them. They will eat every thing but them, you could go for that wild look, or do you have that already now your hens have finished with your place L O L . Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> General & Misc All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group