Jake Harper
Chickens and gardens can be natural partners, but it's important to consider how to keep your plants safe from chickens and how to keep your chickens safe from predators. One option is to assign chickens to a portion of a properly zoned garden, allowing them to rotate through at appropriate times and minimising damage from grazing or scratching. Chicken runs can also be landscaped with plants, bushes, shrubs, and flowers, providing shade and an aesthetically pleasing environment for both chickens and their owners. To protect plants from chickens, you can use fencing, chicken wire, or hardware cloth to prevent digging and burrowing. Electric fencing can also be used to keep out predators.
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What You'll Learn
- Chicken runs can protect raised beds from deer, rabbits and squirrels
- Chicken wire can be used to stop animals from burrowing underneath
- Chicken runs can be landscaped with plants and bushes
- Chicken runs can be made more attractive with fencing and gates
- Chicken runs can be designed with different zones to manage chicken grazing
Chicken runs can protect raised beds from deer, rabbits and squirrels
Chicken runs can be an effective way to protect raised beds from deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Chicken wire can be used as a fence or to frame an entire garden bed, creating a physical barrier that prevents animals from accessing your plants. While chicken wire may not be enough to deter squirrels, as they can chew through it, you can line the structure with hardware cloth, which has a finer mesh.
To further protect your garden, you can bury the fencing a few inches deep to prevent burrowing animals like rabbits, squirrels, and moles from digging underneath. A fence height of 6 feet or more should be sufficient to keep out deer and most groundhogs, while a height of 2-3 feet can deter rabbits.
In addition to physical barriers, you can also use natural repellents such as blood meal, which has an off-putting smell that deer avoid. Human hair can also be used, as deer will smell your pheromones and be deterred. You can also try hanging old CDs or aluminum pie pans, as the reflection can scare away animals.
Chicken runs can be landscaped with plants and shrubs to make them more aesthetically pleasing. However, it is important to choose plants that are safe for chickens and will not be destroyed by their scratching and digging. Some recommended plants include tree roses, butterfly bushes, Mexican bush sage, and herbs like rosemary and lavender.
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Chicken wire can be used to stop animals from burrowing underneath
Chicken wire can be an effective way to stop animals from burrowing underneath your garden. Chicken wire fencing can be used in conjunction with a fence to increase the overall height and depth of the barrier, making it more difficult for animals to climb or burrow underneath. For example, you can add chicken wire to the top of your fence and bend it outwards.
To prevent burrowing, the chicken wire should be inserted at least 10 inches below ground level to act as a barrier. Alternatively, you can lay the chicken wire flat along the perimeter of your garden, making it more difficult for animals to start digging.
Another technique is to use an L-shaped footer, also known as a predator apron. This involves extending wire meshing outwards and downwards in an "L" shape at or beneath the ground. The footer should be buried about a foot deep and extended at a 90-degree angle to create a horizontal barrier against burrowing animals. The size of the wire mesh can vary depending on the size of the animals you want to exclude.
For added protection, you can replace chicken wire with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, which is more effective at keeping predators out. A solid floor made of concrete can also be installed to make it difficult for predators to dig through.
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Chicken runs can be landscaped with plants and bushes
When landscaping a chicken run, it is important to choose plants and bushes that are safe for chickens. While chickens generally know what is safe to eat, some plants can be harmful or even poisonous. It is recommended to avoid toxic plants and opt for those that chickens are not fond of ingesting, such as flowering plants, shrubs, and small bushes. For example, wormwood is a shrub that chickens tend to leave alone.
To create a visually appealing chicken run, consider adding stone arrangements, wire mesh, lighting, mirrors, or treat baskets. Potted herbs can also enhance the aesthetics while deterring pests and promoting respiratory health in the flock. Additionally, edible flowers can be planted, knowing that the chickens will eventually eat them but enjoying their beauty until then.
Some plants that thrive inside chicken runs include various types of sage, such as Mexican bush sage, Russian sage, and pineapple sage. These plants are not only attractive but also provide fragrance and shade. Lavender, rosemary, and fig trees are other good options that can provide hiding places and shade for the chickens.
It is important to note that chickens may need to be prevented from digging and scratching around the roots of newly transplanted bushes and plants to allow them to take hold. Chicken wire can be used for this purpose. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid using chemical fertilisers or pesticides near the chicken run, as these may be harmful to the chickens. Instead, chicken manure or organic, pet-safe products can be used to fertilise the plants.
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Chicken runs can be made more attractive with fencing and gates
If you're looking for something more secure, electric fencing is a great option to keep predators out and chickens in. However, it can be more expensive and requires periodic maintenance checks. Electric fencing can also be more difficult to attach an overhead cover to. A combination of wooden fencing and wire mesh is another secure option, providing ample strength to keep predators out.
For those who want something more in line with a contemporary farmhouse style, a neat wooden fence might be the best option. This type of fencing is flexible and can be shaped to fit the unique features of your property. However, it is less durable than other options, and predators may eventually break through. Wire fences are also less aesthetically pleasing to some.
To make your chicken run more attractive, consider planting flowers, bushes, and shrubs, such as climbing roses, butterfly bushes, and herbs. Not only will these additions enhance the natural joy of spending time with your chickens, but they will also make your neighbours happy by creating something pleasant to look at.
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Chicken runs can be designed with different zones to manage chicken grazing
One way to implement this system is through rotational grazing, where chickens are allowed to graze in one section before being moved to another, allowing the previous area to rest and revitalise. This can be done by creating fenced-off "paddocks" or quadrants within the chicken run, which can be as simple as using hard plastic garden fencing and stakes. It is important to ensure that the fencing is secure and that there are no openings for chicks to squeeze through. Clover is a popular choice for these sections, as it is beneficial to chicken health and provides a lush grazing area.
Another option is to create a chicken grazing box within the run, which can be a designated bed or area for chickens to forage on healthy greens. This can be done by levelling the ground, building a frame with wood and connecting the corners with screws, and covering the top with wire fencing to allow the chickens to peck and graze. Chicken wire or hardware cloth can be used for the top, with each having its pros and cons regarding ease of grazing and sturdiness.
In addition to managing grazing, chicken runs can also be landscaped with plants and bushes to create an aesthetically pleasing environment. It is important to choose safe, non-toxic plants, such as Mexican bush sage, Russian sage, and pineapple sage, which thrive inside chicken runs. Chicken runs can also be fertilised with organic kelp seaweed, providing valuable micronutrients and macronutrients for plant growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Chickens and gardens can be natural partners for a more productive harvest. A chicken run can protect raised beds from deer, rabbits, moles, voles, squirrels and other rodents. Chicken manure can also be used as fertilizer.
You can use poultry netting, no-climb horse fencing, and T posts to set up a fence around your garden. To keep chickens from flying out, you can use baling twine across the top of the run. You can also use chicken wire or mesh to stop rodents from burrowing underneath.
Plants that thrive inside chicken runs include Mexican bush sage, Russian sage, and pineapple sage. Other good plants are rosemary, lavender, herbs, and butterfly bushes.
