inezrosen Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Any thoughts on how to protect my vegetable plot - gave up last year after they decimated it three times but am desperate to try again - they have today managed to get over the eglu chicken fencing - which was placed to protect the vegs - and destroyed this years seedlings - I am at my wits end. Can't afford a proper chicken run at the moment - I usually let them free range for the afternoon and they live in the eglu pen the rest of the time. Thanks - all advice welcome! Inez - owner of 3 girls (not named after the fox ate my last batch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Oh dear, how frustrating for you. I focus on keeping the hens out, rather than in, if that makes sense. I use a combination of cheap willow trellis and Omlet netting, and a spare Eglu run that I happen to have, to surround the veg patch - it doesn't look very aesthetically pleasing. The main thing is that I only let my hens out when I'm there to supervise free ranging, this is mainly because of the fox risk, but it also enables me to keep an eye on things. It's not perfect though because as you've found, one short break-in can ruin a lot of work, and they sneak in there without me noticing some times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I've put chicken wire over the veg to keep them off. Don't know if it works yet as they've been behaving for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mabelandflosmum Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 it won't be cheap but I have 4 foot wooden picket fencing around my plot, or you could build a "fruit cage" affair with posts and netting, securely anchored at the ground. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValerieR Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I have raised beds covered in netting and so far they ignore it - challenge comes later when nets are off and veggies bloming! I have fence netting ready to put up - who knows if it will work? Its my first year. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValerieR Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 *** STOP PRESS**** Chooks noticed the veg beds and ate half my seedlings!!! So today I made a kind of fence out of Lidl netting tied to bamboo canes - its about 4 feet high - and keeps them away from the veg beds. The cats are rather confused though ...... will have to wait and see if it works or whether the cats jump on it and wreck it! Ah. No-one said it would be easy ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inezrosen Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Thanks - will have to tackle cutting their flight feathers - that's how they got over the fence I already have! Inez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Netting and chicken wire is a fairly cheap way to protect areas of the garden like veg patches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
