4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[cluckingmad]

Hi everyone

 

The garden is FINALLY starting too take shape and look like a garden and not a swamp

 

This year like before I'm growing all our own veggies and fruit, but this time we're building raised beds to grow them in. My issue is our 7 stunning girls, all of whom are happy to help with weeding - they juts dig up everything whether I want it or not!!

 

Does anyone have any ideas or tried-and-tested methods of protecting their plants from the ravages of their chooks?! Had wondered about putting a few lines of low current elecrtic wire aroundthe beds to deter the girls from getting too close?

[Snowy]

I used that fine fruit cage netting, staked in place with bamboo poles. Providing they cannot squeeze under it it is quite effective as it is too flimsy for them to land on to jump over. You do need to make access easy for yourself though. My chook defences were so good even I couldn't get in. (and they still managed it because I was too tight with the netting and left gaps )

[chickenanne]

I fence the raised beds off, too, just with chickenwire.

They do a great job of clearing up beds when they're empty, though....

[sparkysmum]

After 5mths totally free ranging after the mink episode, I've gone back to keeping my ladies in their "hen garden" They have about 10m x 2.5. very approx which is wild and has mature hen proof shrubs for them to peck around. This keeps them off my grass, fruit and veg. The chicks of course are not amused ! Although they are ex batts they seem to think they have a right to all they can survey. At the mo I'm having to ignore indignant squawking as they demand to be let loose again

[cluckingmad]

I know that feeling - our three ex-batts are by far the most demanding to be allowed out, but you can't really blame them

 

Thanks all, with any luck i'll manage a ncie garden without having to lose my girls

[dancing cloud]

I successfully used the omlet netting to "fence" off my raised beds last year. The only thing I had to remember was not to plant too close to the edge, as a hen-neck can stretch a very long way, especially if there's a lettuce to be had

 

My little ex-batt monsters can be somewhat demanding too!