How To Keep Chickens Out Of Your Vegetable Garden

How to Keep Chickens Out of the Garden Grid Sub from gridsub.com

If you have chickens, you know that they can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they can provide you with fresh eggs, and on the other, they can wreak havoc on your vegetable garden. Chickens love to scratch and peck, and they can quickly turn your carefully tended plants into a pile of dirt. Fortunately, there are a few simple, yet effective, methods you can use to keep them out of your garden.

Install Fencing

The most reliable and cost-effective way to keep chickens out of your vegetable garden is to install a fence. Chicken wire is the best option for this, as it is specifically designed to keep chickens in or out of an area. Make sure that the fence is at least three feet high, as this will be enough to keep most chickens from jumping over it. If you want to be extra sure, you can add an electric wire at the top of the fence. This will give them a mild shock if they try to jump over and will deter them from trying it again.

Choose the Right Plants

If you want to keep chickens out of your vegetable garden, it's important to choose plants that they don't like. Plants with strong scents, such as garlic, onions, and rosemary, are usually avoided by chickens. Other plants that chickens don't like include lavender, chamomile, and marigolds. Planting these around the perimeter of your garden will help to keep the chickens away.

Create a Chicken Coop

Another way to keep chickens out of your garden is to create a chicken coop. A chicken coop is essentially a small enclosed area where chickens can sleep, lay eggs, and get away from the elements. It should be placed away from your vegetable garden, so that the chickens have a separate area to roam. Make sure that the coop is well-constructed, as this will deter any predators from trying to get in. Additionally, make sure to clean the coop regularly, as this will help to keep it sanitary and free from disease.

Make Your Garden Unappealing

Chickens are naturally drawn to gardens because they enjoy scratching and pecking at the soil. To make your garden less attractive to them, you can try scattering prickly items, such as pinecones and stones, around the perimeter of the garden. You can also try spraying the soil with a mix of water and pepper, as this will make it too spicy for them to enjoy. Additionally, you can try covering the soil with a tarp, as this will prevent them from getting to the soil.

Employ Natural Predators

If you have an abundance of natural predators in your area, such as hawks, snakes, and foxes, then you can use them to your advantage. Allowing these predators to roam your property will make the chickens think twice before entering your garden. Additionally, you can try setting up a few birdhouses around the perimeter of your garden, as this will attract the predators and help to keep the chickens away.

Use Scare Tactics

Another way to keep chickens out of your vegetable garden is to use scare tactics. This can be as simple as hanging a plastic owl or a fake snake near your garden. You can also try using a motion-activated sprinkler, as this will startle the chickens when they get too close. Additionally, you can try using an ultrasonic device, as this will emit a high-frequency sound that chickens will find unpleasant.

Train Your Chickens

Finally, if you really want to keep the chickens out of your vegetable garden, you can try training them. This can be done by creating a special area outside of the garden and rewarding the chickens when they stay there. You can use treats or even verbal praise to encourage them to stay away from the garden. With enough repetition and consistency, you should be able to teach them to stay away from the garden.

Keeping chickens out of your vegetable garden doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can create an effective barrier that will keep your plants safe and secure. Whether you choose to install a fence, use scare tactics, or train your chickens, you can rest assured that your garden will be safe from harm.