How to keep chickens out of raised beds
shermthewerm
6 years ago
Installed a couple of new raised beds, filled them with compost, and my chickens almost completely emptied them within hours!
Normally, I use deer netting as fencing around areas where I plant veggies to keep them out, but I really didn't want to put up any more fences (I have an urban lot and my gardening areas are spread out, allowing the chickens to range except where I have vegetables growing).
Much of my gardening is spent trying to figure out how to keep the chickens from destroying what I'm trying to grow! Anyway, just wanted to share my most recent success: stapling deer netting on top of the raised beds to stop the chickens from scratching out all of their contents--I just had to cut a small hole where the plants are growing, and
voila! The netting is barely noticeable.
Just thought I'd share in case it might be helpful with someone (maybe would work to keep cats out as well?).
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Keeping Cats out of raised Beds
Comments (7)Lots of discussions that the search will pull up - some quite recently - with all kinds of suggestions. Just type 'cats' in the forum search bar. Fencing is the most common recommendation. If not the whole garden then small temporary fence around the newly planted area. My cats scoff at the various repellents so i just lay down pieces of chicken wire over newly planted boxes or garden spots till the plants sprout and then remove them. They don't like to walk on it. Now if it would only work for the armadillos! Dave...See Morekeeping chickens out?
Comments (11)I agree, either the neighbor needs to fence the chickens (which is what he SHOULD do), or you need to fence them out...and make it a few feet high, chickens can be pretty clever about hopping up on things/flying to get to a tasty garden! If fencing is out, you might try putting down a layer of bark mulch, then a thick layer of large-chunk gravel mulch over it. It may keep them from digging, but it won't protect the plants from being eaten. Certain plants are VERY toxic to chickens, try telling your neighbor you have some planted in your yard (please don't actually do so, it isn't the chickens' fault their owner is a twerp) IN ADDITION to cedar bark mulch. He may be more motivated to keep them home if he thinks your yard is a poison playground for his birds! Velvet ~:>...See Morekeep chickens out of garden
Comments (6)Razor wire and machine guns!!! That was too funny! I actually have been thinking of staking a couple of my golden retrievers out in my garden, except I hate tying up dogs! My dogs can't run loose with the chickens. Or else it's dinner time. I would fence it off but we don't clip their wings. We live in the woods and we don't want to leave them defenseless. And especially in case we forget and let a dog out. Already happens once in a while. I'm thinking about trying to put chicken wire around the vital plants that are to easy to dig up and putting mulch around it. Last year I had mulch and it all ended up in my walk and in the dry creek bed I made in it. So this year I decided no mulch. I'm thinking the chicken wire would catch their attention. Maybe I can wire it up!! Shoot some voltage into them!! Just like an old circus show, dancing chickens! Well that won't work. My DH just said if its on the ground it'll just ground out. Oh well... What is a chicken tractor? I'm picturing a special "shoot" for them to walk to through to their designated area. We free range our birds everyday in the afternoon. Like I said, share time with the dogs. What do you two think of my chicken wire idea? I know they can't get through it. Get frustrated trying too....See MoreHow do you get and keep zoysia grass out of flower beds?
Comments (5)Thanks esh & bagsmom! I figured that would be the only way to keep that stuff outta the beds. I was hoping someone might know of something that would kill the grass without hurting my plants. As if!! I know its asking alot but I am so frustrated. GGG, it sounds like you are describing my sisters yard who has the zoysia. I knew that was its nature but since so many people have it they would have some easy way to control it. grrrrrr Thanks again everyone!!...See Moreshermthewerm
6 years ago
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laceyvail 6A, WV