Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[Snowy]

I've used the black fruit cage netting around any areas I need protecting. It's very difficult to see, unless we get a heavy frost (then it looks quite pretty! ) I have it all round groups of pots and it does work well. I don't mind them nibbling the odd tip of things, but the digging everything up can be quite destructive can't it?

[BeckyBoo]

I'm doing the same as you Mrs B. Massive new run which they will stay in most of the time, and fencing off a third of the garden for them to freerange at my convenience. Leaving the other two thirds, which we are re-turfing as DH says what was the lawn will never recover,

 

don't say that .... I 'sacrificed' what was a very poor quality lawn anyway, so I could have the girls nearer to the house for winter, but I've convinced myself that when I get the Cube, which I still haven't ordered, I will be able to re-seed the area where the Eglus are.

 

I can't afford to get it turfed. Has anyone else tried re-seeding what used to be their lawn?

 

I'll let you know i've got chicken wire round the whole garden (very attractive - not, but they still occasionally get over. It doesn't help cos of the dawg who digs holes, dashes about and wees toxic wee that kills everything and I'll be trying to reseed the garden in a few weeks. I've raked the surface and i'll be spiking it tomorrow. I was given some garden vouchers for Christmas which I was going to buy something lovely and scented with but will now be using for grass seed. I love the hens but I HATE what they've done to what was a LOVELY garden and is now a MESS.

 

Mrs Bertie

[Olly]

Thanks, Mrs B - I keep dithering about whether to Cube or not to Cube, and meanwhile the lawn is not going to recover! It's only because I put the Eglus slap bang in the middle of it, luckily I've got enough grass, and mine can only free-range under supervision, so they don't do much damage normally. I am wondering if the lawn will ever recover, though!

 

Waders, try putting an upturned hanging basket over your tubs and pots - they will still peck things, but it stops them jumping in and scratching, which is what really does the damage.

[bellekatz]

Waders, try putting an upturned hanging basket over your tubs and pots - they will still peck things, but it stops them jumping in and scratching, which is what really does the damage.

 

I used to do that when I grew catmint or the cats would demolish it all in one go. It leaves the bottom of the plant intact so it can regrow.

[The Dogmother]

I say this as someone who has considered erecting a fence between the patio and the lawn, to keep the former poo-free!

 

Do it Anne! I did a ouple of years ago and my patio is now poo free and I grow all my veggies on there.

[waders]

Thanks for the link Christian, they are exactly what I had seen in the paper. It's great to know that you have tried them and they work!

Thanks to you Olly for the idea of the upturned hanging baskets - what a good idea.

I shall definitely be trying them both. Can't really do anything yet until OH gets the new shed up but with rugby on every weekend until Easter I don't hold out much hope of a quick (dare I say it) erection!

I shall sit and work out what to do, I've already decided to change the beds around as it will make it easier to cordon them off!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

 

Lisa