abwsco Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 and why do I feel guilty They've still got a run 6ft x 18ft plus part of the garden all to themselves so that we can try and get the rest of the garden looking nice again. We planted two mature black bamboos last week and they ate all the bottom leaves within an hour so I know we need to do it. Please tell me I'll stop feeling guilty soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 you've done the right thing - we had to do something similar to claim some of our garden back - we didnt appreciate the dustbowl look where the grass (it had never been lawn......) had been. what we do sometimes is let them all out to completely free range the entire garden about 30minutes before dusk - enough time for them to go mad and peck at the grass and find al the bugs and grubs but not enough time for them to completely trash the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 But it doesn't matter how much space you give them, they will still make you feel guilty You have to be strong! Don't fall for the emotional blackmail! Their run is fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 It looks positively fab. Mine are confined to their own area too.....in theory, although every so often they form an escape committee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Not sure why you're feeling guilty . That run looks fantastic (and looks better than the actual garden my lot have access to ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Looks great. Don't feel guilty. I know how you feel though. 1st Spring/Summer my girls had the entire garden, would sit at the back door (and poop there) and tap at the window for my attention (very sweet), come running over when I put my hand on the doorhandle. But then hubbie put his foot down as he was fed up with them getting into the veg patch even though it was fenced off. So last Winter they got fenced into their own area. It's a third of our garden (and as big as some peoples entire gardens) but they still pace up and down the fence when they free range..... But it was the right decision. Kids don't tread poop everywhere now and can play without me shouting out "mind where you step" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 The run is fantastic but the plaintive look I can see even in the photo! BE STRONG!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 They have loads of space, lucky chickens I think! Mine have always been restricted to their own area, sandwiched between my veg area and the lawn. They have eaten everything green in there, so now have a mud area under some trees. I don't feel guilty at all, I've given 3 chickens a third of my garden - I actually think that's quite generous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 Thanks everyone, as I know we've done the right thing and shouldn't feel guilty. Mind you we've also had eldest daughter telling us we were mean alih, I didn't get the pic but after that I had nine faces all pressed up against the wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Thanks everyone, as I know we've done the right thing and shouldn't feel guilty. Mind you we've also had eldest daughter telling us we were mean alih, I didn't get the pic but after that I had nine faces all pressed up against the wire Ooooh don't let them get to your heartstrings - they are lucky spoilt rotten girls!......there's nothing wrong in wanting a bit of garden to yourself! Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I think we will do the same. Your space for your chooks is great. We built a rockery in the summer with alpine plants in and little white stones to show up the plants well the chooks hadn't been near it until about 2 weeks ago but did they have fun when they did find it, hubby was not impressed in fact I didn't tell him for 2 days, I think his comment was something shall we have roast chicken tonight, my daugther them piped up that it was his hen Harriet that had done most of the digging, quick thinking on Abby's part, clever girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I did the same too Anne as my garden and lawn were wrecked My girls seem very happy in their confinement but I found even when the had a huge area to roam in free (which was 'fenced off' with netting) they still were more interested in what was outside the area. "The grass is always greener" syndrome me thinks! They are also totally safe from predators too. Don't feel guilty, just imagine what conditions they could have been in if they had gone to a poultry farm, your run is zillions of times better, plus you also get to enjoy them AND your garden too. I now just make sure they have some greens in the afternoon which they love - they used to ignore them when they were out on the lawn so its a win, win situation I think. Just had a look at your pictures the girls are lovely (and VERY lucky)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Would I be able to resist 9 little begging faces pressed up against the wire - of course I wouldn't - but I've learned with my little monsters that though they may not be the brightest creatures on the planet, they are experts at emotional blackmail. Don't fall for it! Walk away! Just look at how much space your 9 cheeky little madams have all to themselves - it's great! There are hens out there that would give their wings for that sort of 5* accommodation and you do need to remember it is actually your garden not theirs Look the other way when they start the pleading routine and don't give in! Good luck ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 and why do I feel guilty They've still got a run 6ft x 18ft plus part of the garden all to themselves so that we can try and get the rest of the garden looking nice again. We planted two mature black bamboos last week and they ate all the bottom leaves within an hour so I know we need to do it. Please tell me I'll stop feeling guilty soon. This space is as big as my kitchen-can I move in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Looks fabulous. Don't feel guilty at all! I'm seriously thinking about limiting access to shrub beds only as the grass is suffering. Wouldn't been too bad if they only ate it and pooed on it, but they insist on scratching it up!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 Thanks again everyone for making me realise I shouldn't feel guilty:) I know we've been quite lucky with the amount of chickens and the lack of damage done so far, but I know the grass wouldn't last the winter. Kazaroo, I wish my kitchen was as big as the space the chickens have! Our kitchen is quite small and also has three doors into it, and it drives me mad helenmb, thanks for your lovely comments on my girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
