Keeping chickens in the backyard is a great way to have fresh eggs and enjoy the benefits of keeping backyard birds. However, there may be times when you’re ready to plant something new or have tender seedlings in your garden, and want to keep your chickens out of the area.
To help you avoid having your garden eaten by hungry hens, we’ve compiled some tips for keeping chickens out of your garden without sacrificing their access to sunshine and fresh air.
They love greens just as much as you do! If you are growing plants in a raised bed or plan on planting one soon, it’s important to know how to keep chickens out of the garden so they don’t destroy everything. It is also important to understand what might attract them into that space in the first place.
3 Ways to Keep Chickens Out of Your Garden
Build a Physical Barrier or a Fence.
The most effective way to keep chickens out of the garden is to build a physical barrier. A tall barrier of bricks or wood can work well, depending on the type of garden you’re trying to keep them out of. Since chickens typically can’t fly and don’t have the same climbing abilities as other birds, a fence will do the trick.
If you have a large space to protect, you may want to consider a fence. This can be an expensive option, but it’s a great way to keep chickens out of the garden and off of your deck if you have one. Fences can be made from a variety of materials, from wood to metal.
You can even make a chain-link fence with chicken wire if you want to protect your garden from a small flock of hens.
Install Chicken Wire
If you are using a fence to keep your chickens out of the garden, you may want to consider chicken wire. Chicken wire is a simple solution that can be used to protect your garden while letting your chickens roam freely away from delicate plants. Chicken wire can be purchased at most hardware and gardening stores.
The wire is easy to install and will keep your chickens away from your plants for years to come. It’s also easy to clean and maintain. While this is a great option for some, others may find that it is too heavy to attach to their fence. If you are worried about the weight of the chicken wire damaging your fence, you can always use a lightweight option.
Use Natural Repelents
There are a variety of plants that repel chickens. Many of these plants are also edible and can be used as a natural repellent in the garden. Certain plants that chickens don’t like to eat can make for great natural repellents.
– Mint- Mint is a plant that repels chickens and many other pests. It’s easy to grow and provides a great source of food for humans. If you want to keep chickens out of your garden, you can either plant mint directly in your garden soil or you can place it along the edges of your garden bed.
– Chamomile- This is another plant that repels chickens. If you want to keep chickens out of your garden, you can plant chamomile along the edges of your garden bed. You can also add it to your garden soil.
– Wormwood- Wormwood is a common herb used in cooking and also repels chickens. If you want to keep chickens out of your garden, you can plant wormwood directly in your garden soil or you can place it along the edges of your garden bed.
Build or install a Chicken Coop
If you’ve tried all the tips above and your hens are still in love with your garden, it’s time to go big. – Install a Chicken Coop. While you can have chickens in your backyard, you cannot have them roaming freely. Even if you have a small flock of hens, they will still need a coop or run to protect them from the elements. You can also use the coop to protect your garden by keeping chickens out of it.
Conclusion
Keeping chickens out of your garden is an important part of maintaining a bountiful harvest. While it’s not necessary to keep them out of your garden at all times, it’s important that you have ways to keep them out when needed. There are many ways to keep chickens out of your garden without causing them any harm.
