tara Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Found this thought id post it quite interesting Letting Chickens 'Run Free' in your garden We've already covered Chickens and a Vegetable Garden, so now we'll have a look at the general garden. It should be said first of all that if you intend to let them run loose, Foxes do not just hunt at night. I've seen Chickens snatched virtually under my nose in the middle of the day, so I strongly advise you not to leave your Home when they are walking around.. There is a general opinion that Chickens are going to ruin your grass if they're outside. If you have a static Run or just a Lawn with a Fence rather than a Hedge, this is true. But, given the option between Grass and underneath Hedges or Trees, they'll go for the latter two almost everytime. There is more for them to scratch and hunt around for in. This can be often confirmed when seeing a Free Range Chicken Farm. They can have a large field to roam around in, but they tend to hang around the Sheds. Most Farmers now put Tree Trunks around and about to entice their natural ways. Chickens originate from Jungle Fowl, they are nor grassland creatures. The main reason the grass is ruined is simply that they want to get to what's underneath it! So, should you have a Static Run, rather than placing it in the middle of the Lawn, try putting it on the side against a Hedge. I believe you'll find them a lot happier. The theory of Chickens must having grass is not altogether so. I have a fairly large lawn area, but they only really use this as a pathway to either the Greenhouse (when they're allowed) and the Hedgerow, their favourite places being under the large Laurel Bush and along the Kerb of the Driveway. If you have a Bench in the Garden, they'll gladly go under it for long periods of time, both for the shade and the s"Ooops, word censored!"e. That leads us onto your beloved flower beds. Well, don't expect what you don't expect me to say - they will decimate them! What you have in flowers you may not get next year. In Autumn when the flower seeds pop, they'll hear it and believe me, they will go straight to it snatching the fallen seeds. We had a marvellous Lupin Garden, hundreds of Plants everywhere, then we got Chickens! The following Spring not a single flower grew! A fascinating fact about Chickens is they appear to have no fear of things which other pets do. A fine example of this are Strimmers and Lawnmowers. Don't expect them to fly out the way when you're approaching them, they will stand their ground until the last possible second. I've near had ready made Casserole a few times, especially when they're in the Undergrowth. Chickens are inquisitive creatures. Even if they know there's probably not going to get any food, they will still venture into every open door just to have a nose and come bedtime, you could have quite a search on your hands. If you have a coal shed - they like them! Once they get to know you and the sound of their food pan being rattled, you should be able to round them up for bed. Another way is to 'herd' them in, walking behind them, arms outstretched - If you want them to go left, bring the right arm forward. But break the group and you've had it. No matter how many you have, one will be an escapee, so check out any possible exit channels to the neighbours and roads. There aren't too many things which are more enjoyable than watching Chickens scampering free. They are a real Karma and their habits and personalities will rub off onto you. Your Garden will be the closest thing to a natural habitat they have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 How true - especially the last bit about escapees! Must admit mine show almost no interest in the lawn - they occasionally peck around on it, but spend most of their time in the borders, just as described. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Our lawn is somewhere to get a Lab to start digging a hole....then expand it as a dustbath which handily doubles as a potential ankle-breaker in the dark !!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 (edited) My two are out all day and my lawn is fine. They do seem to be excavating under the big conifers at the end of the garded though! I thought Tony Robinson and the Time Team had moved in when i saw the heaps of soil that were appearing but NO, just two really ethusiastic Orps Tall log roll is being purchased at the weekend! Edited March 25, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Yes you are right about the trees. Mine love the conifers and I reckon they are trying to uproot them. I'm almost tempted to have a dig myself it looks so interesting. They also love that area for dustbathing. Hope it saves the grass. I think it's me ruining that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Yes you are right about the trees. Mine love the conifers and I reckon they are trying to uproot them. I'm almost tempted to have a dig myself it looks so interesting. They also love that area for dustbathing. Hope it saves the grass. I think it's me ruining that though. I think they think it is a game, they chuck the soil out and I have to go behind them at bedtime and a rake it all back only for it to start all over again the next day I think we def do more damage to the grass. Since the eglu has been in it`s temporay position for intros I have had to walk to it and i know have a muddy track in the lawn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 there is def something going on. Why can they only scratch bums facing the path or lawn, so it all ends up where we have to brush it back. they never seem to sratch it backwards onto the garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 That's a dream of mine. One day they will do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Our lawn is somewhere to get a Lab to start digging a hole....then expand it as a dustbath which handily doubles as a potential ankle-breaker in the dark !!! Sha x I know this story so well!! The other trouble with the holes in when the chickens are not dustbathing in them, the dogs(lab/crosses) play a sort of hide and seek in them along the lines of...my head is in the hole and I can't see you , so you can't possibly see me. How did you know I was here??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
