MaxiJas Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Now our 2 out for a rove about on a more regular basis, they have both discovered a fondness for Forget Me Nots. Is this new found taste good or bad for them? Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Well the hens should be fine, but I can't say the same for the forget-me-nots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxiJas Posted April 10, 2006 Author Share Posted April 10, 2006 Thanks for the quick reply - I just wish our ladies laid eggs as fast.... The chooks seem to be fine but the plants are looking a bit shabby round the edges. Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Well the fact that the plants still exist above ground level shows you have most obliging hens - hopefully they will continue being so considerate towards your plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxiJas Posted April 10, 2006 Author Share Posted April 10, 2006 Thats what both of us hope for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiglet Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 I've let my chooks have free range of my garden for a while now. Thing is, pre-chickens, I was a very keen gardener and loved my garden. I have now discovered that not only is every plant "chicken friendly" but every plant is NOT chicken proof. I have now realised that i will have to change my priorities on the keen gardening bit. I love my girls to bits and try to let them go where they want. I have managed to make some lovely plant barriers out of upturned empty hanging baskets which stop certain plants being trampled on. I'm also going to try & persuade hubby to make me a raised bed away from the freeranging area for my 1st attempt at veggie growing this year - fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 You will need to put some netting around your veg patch unless it is raised about 5-6 feet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spott Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 my girls have been free ranging for about a week now, and the only plant they pecked at only once is the lavender bush, maybe this is chcken proof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 It is a sad fact of life that, for gardeners, you either have to fence off the plants or fence off the hens Of course if you are out with them when they free range you can shoo them off certain plants if they start nibbling I thought I was safe having a native British hedgerow in the hen run. The girls certainly appreciate resting under its shade in the summer. Today they showed me that they also appreciate having the new little hawthorne buds to jump up and peck at So much for all those sharp hawthorne thorns that scratch me to pieces when blackberrying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
