hils
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if I got chickens...If I got a couple of chickens - how much damage would/could the potentially do to my garden?
I'm STILL not in Lincolnshire but have the chance of aquiring a really nice 4 bird coop that would fit nicely next to the garden shed. I could easily make the garden escape proof up to 6 ft high. My garden is only 11 ft wide by 15ft long. Would this be too small for 2 bantams and a 'normal' size chicken?
I could build an area attatched to the coop with a chipping mulch base - this would be on concrete. But when I am in they could have the run of the garden. Other than scratch around - which I guess isn't too good for bulbs what sort of damage can they do?
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ejc-free
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They'll eat your herbs, scratch and dig in your beds and use them to dust bathe, they'll learn to start knocking at your windows / doors for treats - they're highly addictive and home grown eggs are the best
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Cathryn
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We used to have guinea pigs - so never needed a lawn mower and the grass had an interesting checker board pattern - We now have chickens - only five/three (FOX  ) now we have a mud checker board... They nipped off all the iris bulbs before they had a chance - at least all but the white ones and I had put in around 70 bulbs and they also nipped off anything else green and tender. So I now only put in shrubs and things when they are well established and even then I put a little cairn of stones around them or net them. Most things survive but we should perhaps all take cutting to share out amongst others with chickens  Saying all that and loving my garden I love the hens more and love seeing them dustbathing in my newly turned over beds and am planning to hatch some more next spring. They might however spend the winter on slabs covered with wood chip - we have a very muddy garden even without their help. (Bet you will haev hens very soon. What cuttings shall I start?  )
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hils
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Cuttings of everything!
I'm still not sure this is a good idea. But if I can do it in the city I'll be a dab hand at it by the time I'm in the sticks.
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footprints
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Re: if I got chickens... | hils wrote: | If I got a couple of chickens - how much damage would/could the potentially do to my garden?
I'm STILL not in Lincolnshire but have the chance of aquiring a really nice 4 bird coop that would fit nicely next to the garden shed. I could easily make the garden escape proof up to 6 ft high. My garden is only 11 ft wide by 15ft long. Would this be too small for 2 bantams and a 'normal' size chicken?
I could build an area attatched to the coop with a chipping mulch base - this would be on concrete. But when I am in they could have the run of the garden. Other than scratch around - which I guess isn't too good for bulbs what sort of damage can they do? |
Mulch on concrete sounds good to me. If you have a good size run and add frequently to the mulch for them to play in, chicken heaven.
Never let them out 
The pleasure from a home grown egg is something that you have to experience.
The damage they can do and the hen s### walked into the house
you can do without ('')
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2steps
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chickens are ace
mine scratch at teh ground alot so all the grass is muddy now. You could keep them in a sectioned off area instead of them having the full garden
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Treacodactyl
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I'd go for wood shaving or straw mulch as bark chips can contain a harmful mould, I've posted up details on here from Country Smallholding.
As for damage, well our three don't do too much. They are only let out when we are in the garden (foxes, cats, dogs, etc) and we look after them. I tolerate them over most of the garden but take care when fruits are ready. A bit of fencing keeps them away from fresh seeds.
They do like an area to dust bathe and left to their own devices they can wreck a garden but they can also be controlled. They also don't have to be let out, especially if you throw in weeds and tie up green stuff for them to eat in their run. The more ours are let out the more they seem to want to roam free.
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Pilsbury
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I really fancy the idea of keeping a couple of chickens but was never sure if i could as 95% of my garden is brick pavers with just a couple of meter square beds in it, i was wondering if this would be enough to support them but now i have heard that i could extend the run and just cover the bricks with a mulch i am all the more set on it. Once again thanks to downsizer for the solution.
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JKLawrence
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Your solutions sound fine. When I got my chickens, it was less than 48 hours before I knew what was needed in the garden - they lost no time attacking what they wanted. I now have a chicken proof fence for the veg patch, and everything else is fine. They do create dust baths, and they pick at the soft fruit, flowers (mainly calendula - I don't go in for flowers in a big way) and herbs, but so far not so much that it hasn't felt like "sharing".
And as for city chickens, yes, you can. Various people sell the Eglu, designed exactly for this purpose. Any major seller of chicken houses can advise you on what to buy for your specific situation.
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@Calli
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Chickens are worth every second spent moving them around/replanting/resseding etc etc
They are decorative to look at
They contribute to the shopping budget
They provide fertiliser for the other depts ( Veg Garden)
Therapeutic - can't get cross at a buff orpington
I could go on as would many here.....Take the plunge and you won't regret it!
Let us know what you get!!!!
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