MaxBaz Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 My 4 girls have done a wonderful job of getting rid of the ground elder in their run (along with every other bit of greenery) and having a great time scratching around the soil as they do. To a) tidy up the poo and b) soften up the ground have taken to using the garden hoe at least once a day and digging up areas. Girls learnt VERY quickly that Hoe + Soil = WORMS and they literally throw themselves on top of it while I am attempting to use it - absolutely hilarious but it does make it extremely awkward avoiding beaks/feet as they are so desperate to get involved. Thing that I've enjoyed the most about the whole chicken experience is just how funny they are and what different little ways/noises/expressions they have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 They do soon learn about where treats are coming from I have a plaque on my garden wall where all the woodlice thrive until I take it down and let the girls run riot with it - now every time they come out of the run they go and stand next to it hoping it's time for it to come off again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TESSANN Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Yes it is funny to see the girls almost attack the hoe/spade/fork when digging. But be careful, as my husband was digging some weeks ago, with the spade, and one of my girls, ran behind him between his legs just as the spade was coming down and 'wack' she had a massive blow onto the back of her head. She was lucky she wasn't killed. It was a vet job too. So now, if there is any serious digging or gardening, I put the girls away as it is too risky, they absolutely hate it, but it is for their own good. Rosemary x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 "Girls new best friend- the garden hoe" Anyone told Anne Summers feel free to delete!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 ouch, that sounds nasty, TessAnn! I have found it's best to do digging before I let the girls out, as I just can't get on with it when they're around - every time the fork goes in there's a chicken having a free ride as it comes up again, and diving under the clods of earth to see what's there. I've joked about accidentally impaling one of them - it could so easily happen. Hope your chicken is ok now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisastyal Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 our chickens also go crazy when my OH digs over the soil but we have a running joke about the garden brush! It's hilarious when 'The Brush' comes out as they all leg it inside clucking away. You dont have to be using it just put it in site of them. Last night they were reluctant to go inside to run before we went out so The Brush came out and one of our newer ones just looked at it and didnt move, until the cockerel came out and very loudly herded her inside before standing guard at the door! They are definately comical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 One of mt chickens is really really good at gardening. Am thinking of entering her in a competition, actually, or at least hring her out. Gets all the moss out of the lawn, gets rid of slugs, and does a grand job at deadheading flowers (sadly, mostly buds, rather than actual dead-heads but she'll learn- may get her a "how-to-garden" book to read). ooh, and weeding, too, of course (she does have some issues recognising weed from prized plant, but I think the book will help with that, too). Clever, clever chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...