One of the most common complaints about backyard chickens, is that they eat your garden . This can be especially annoying because you spend all this time growing vegetables to use in dinners and salads, only for them to get eaten up by your hens.
Fences and organic smells is the best way to keep chickens out of your garden. Try lavender, marigolds, peppermint and thyme for organic options. For fences makes sure they are five or more inches high to avoid chickens jumping over them. Chicken wire or netting is the preferred fence option and is affordable.
Ways To Keep Chickens Out Of Garden
Chickens are happy bunnies in a way , since nothing makes them happier than chowing down on some fresh greens. While it’s not possible to keep your chickens from ever going into the garden, there are some things you can do to make it harder for them and discourage them from spending too much time there.
One of the easiest ways to keep chickens out of the garden is to put up a fence. Chickens can’t fly, and they’re not exactly the speediest little creatures out there. The typical chicken is very unlikely to jump over a fence that reaches up to its stomach or chest. Even if they can do it, it would be difficult for them, and you could just fill the garden with taller fences later.
Fences don’t have to be made from wood or metal either. You can also use chicken wire since it has smaller holes and will let in sunlight while keeping chickens out. Just make sure you put the fencing at least 5 inches deep into the ground with a few bricks on top. This way they won’t be tempted to try digging under the fence.
It’s also a good idea to put something at the top of the fence that will make it difficult for chickens to walk across it. Even if they can’t fly, you don’t want them walking out of your garden either. A line of sticks or twigs would do the trick, but you could also use some chicken wire or netting as well.
Another way to keep chickens out of the garden is to create a physical barrier around the plants. This could be done by using a low fence, or even just some large rocks or logs. If you have fruit trees in your garden, make sure to put a physical barrier around them too. Chickens love to feast on ripe fruit, and they can do a lot of damage in a hurry.
Again, make sure the barrier is at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t just step over it. You could also use some chicken wire or netting to create a physical barrier as well.
Fence Options To Keep Chickens Out
Wooden fence: A wooden fence is a common way to keep chickens out of the garden, and it can be made from different types of wood. If you use a wooden fence, make sure to put it at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over it.
Metal fence: A metal fence is another option for keeping chickens out of the garden, and it can be made from different types of metal. If you use a metal fence, make sure to put it at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over it.
Chicken wire fence: A chicken wire fence is a good option for keeping chickens out of the garden, and it can be made from different types of chicken wire. If you use a chicken wire fence, make sure to put it at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over it.
Logs: Using logs as a physical barrier around fruit trees is another way to keep chickens out of the garden, and they don’t need to be anything fancy or expensive. Just make sure the logs are at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over them.
Rocks: Another way to create a physical barrier around the garden is by using rocks, and this is a good option if you have a lot of rocks lying around. Just make sure the rocks are at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over them.
For ideas on how to build a fence on a budget, check out our Seven Cheap Garden Fence Ideas post!
Tips To Keep Chickens Out
Use a wooden or metal fence- If you don’t want to use chicken wire, a wooden or metal fence is the way to go. Make sure the fence reaches at least 5 inches high, so they won’t be able to jump over it. Put up a physical barrier around the plants- If you don’t want to use a fence, you can also put up a physical barrier around the plants. This could be done by using a low fence, or even just some large rocks or logs.
Make sure the barrier is at least 5 inches high- So the chickens can’t just step over it.
Use chicken wire or netting- If you want to create a physical barrier around the garden, chicken wire or netting is a good option. Make sure to put it at least 5 inches high so the chickens can’t jump over it.
Organic smells chickens hate lavender, marigolds, peppermint, thyme
So, there you have it! These are some tips on how to keep chickens out of the garden. If you follow these tips, you can rest assured that your plants will be safe from their pecking and scratching. Just make sure to keep an eye on them and reinforce the fence or barrier if necessary.
And if you’re looking for some organic ways to keep chickens away, plants like lavender, marigolds, peppermint, and thyme work well. Their smells are offensive to chickens and will help keep them at bay.
Check out our Lavender Garden Ideas for ways to use it in your garden.
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