Rolo Rabbit Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 What does everyone do to stop their chooks from kicking soil all over the lawn? Last year I put down lots of lovely bark chippings on the beds and it looked really neat and tidy... until the hens arrived. Their favourite activity is to see how far they can spread it over the lawn then they wait til I've brushed it back into the beds before they kick it out again. We're thinking of some kind of edging to keep at least some of the borders on the borders - what do you all use or have you given up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Unless you put netting up to keep them off the beds, there is nothing you can do I'm afraid. Scratching is one of their favourite activities, and they are so lucky to be able to display normal behaviour in your garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 That's why OH built them a walk-in run - they kicked bark chippings from the beds all over the lawn. Even 6" high log roll edging didn't stop them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Rabbit Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 Oh dear. I'd rather they were on the beds than the lawn as, so far, that doesn't look too bad and I think it would probably suffer more from scratching than the beds do. They do have a walk-in run but I love seeing them pottering about in the garden and they seem to get such a lot of pleasure from it. I think we're just going to have to put up with it. Did the 6" high log roll edging make any difference superjules? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 log roll doesnt stop my lot. I have given in now there is an area that I kept sweeping up as they particularly liked digging and dustbathing there, but I have now given it to them as its quite hidden. Other areas im behind them with a brush! I dont think anything other than netting/fencing will keep them off, where there's a will there's a way with chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Did the 6" high log roll edging make any difference superjules? Yes, it makes it more difficult to sweep the bark back into the beds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Rabbit Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 Ah. I hadn't thought about that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Scratching is one of their favourite activities, and they are so lucky to be able to display normal behaviour in your garden. my opinion exactly, so we just clear up after them with a brush or a rake. Our house is surrounded by small stones which the girls love to kick all over the place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...