Milliechick Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Hello, I'm starting to think of things I'd like to grow this year. I'm going to invest in a raised bed, with a mesh cover (which will hopefully deter the ladies) and a few pots. Can someone give me a few suggestions on something else to grow that will attract the chooks and be good for them? I believe Borage is good, and possibly Comfrey but is there any more things like that I can plant for them to peck at, and hopefully save my veggies? Many thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 If you plant anything they like in their reach, it will be gone in hours if not minutes... TBH, a complete waste of money. Better off buying them cheap veg!! If you want a garden, then you need to find things they don't like - woody plants seem the best, but (as always) chooks seem to be different in their tastes. Mine don't touch the rosemary, but I've seen other people say theirs eat it. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Thank you for the advice. I'm not going to bother with many flowers, as I'm sure I had some winter pansies somewhere a few weeks ago?! And my Lavender is being pecked at as I type this But the sun is out, and they are loving being free range in the garden! I'll have to go for high wall baskets or something, Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Pansies.... I remember those!! Pretty things... Always seemed to cheer up the garden! I might try some in baskets this year - although have planned for hanging tomato plants instead! But the chooks are worth it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Couldn't agree more, definately worth it! My garden has a wall all the way round, so they'll be hanging baskets everywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 What about some big deep pots? We have a really big pot (3ft high?) which my aunt + uncle bought us, its too tall for the chooks to get into and dustbathe or peck at The other thing would be as C&T said, things they won't eat like trees, and ours leave the little 'ornamental' conifers and asa(sp?) tree alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Good idea, I'm probably able to get hold of some old black bins which would suffice. Thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Ours would fly up onto 3' pots - eat what they wanted, throw out the rest, and use the soil as a dustbath!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Ours would fly up onto 3' pots - eat what they wanted, throw out the rest, and use the soil as a dustbath!!! Snap!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Ah.......... Oh well, back to the drawing board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Must have taught them well! The ducks try and eat the leaves off the plants but chickens ignore them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Mine have got worse as they have got older, they were ok the first year we had pots with flowers in standing on other pots so they were raised up and they were fine but last year they ate my petunias We have some big woody shrubs and they high pots and hanging baskets with both flowers and tomatoes in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Mine dustbathe in my once productive window box and glare into the kitchen window at me I 'obviously' don't feed them enough Get an allotment - they can't get at that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milliechick Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 From all the comments it's easy to see who are in charge in the garden! Well, as long as it keeps them happy, I was rewarded with the first egg today, so I can't complain! But hanging baskets are definately on the 'Plan of Action' for this year! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
