The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Badger on February 14, 2011, 07:38:23 pm

Title: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: Badger on February 14, 2011, 07:38:23 pm: Hello all, With the oncoming summer season we were wondering if anyone can recommend some flowering bedding plants that hens will not eat !!.

Badger
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: HappyHippy on February 14, 2011, 08:41:29 pm: Mmmm good luck with that :o :o :o
I've found that mine like ALL the garden plants and flowers, even the prickly ones ::) and it's no good thinking they be safe high up in pots, my 'wannabe house hen' Charlotte, is quite prone to sitting in the hanging baskets ;D
If you want a pretty garden, keep the chooks in a run - otherwise, turn it all over to chicken friendly ones and sit back, roll with the punches and watch the fun ;D They'll love you for it ! :chook: :love: :chook:
Karen x
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: bloomer on February 15, 2011, 10:02:14 am: i don't know

i'm a gardener (both for business and pleasure) last year my chooks free ranged and descimated the garden i wouldn't mind if they ate the bits but they seem to just like trashing things!!!!

the saddest site were my beloved heuchera's with all there leaves neatly snipped off and scattered every where...

this year i have built a very large enclosed run and the chooks will free range far less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: lazybee on February 15, 2011, 10:25:35 am: What about Henbane. They would only eat it once ;D ;D
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: Cinderhills on February 15, 2011, 02:53:45 pm: Quote from: bloomer on February 15, 2011, 10:02:14 am
last year my chooks free ranged and descimated the garden i wouldn't mind if they ate the bits but they seem to just like trashing things!!!!

I agree, they do trash the place but to be honest, I love them around the garden and wouldn't change it. Having said that, it is quite tedious clearing their "trash' from the lawn which if I don't just gets worse and kills the grass!

The only thing they don't touch is my pieris japonica which I have since found out is toxic but for some reason they seem to know this and respect it. Maybe it gives off a funny smell to them.
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: Badger on February 15, 2011, 05:31:12 pm: Well it looks as if we shall have to go for high hanging baskets, although as stated they might not be 100% safe either. We too love to see the chooks free ranging, but we also love to have a big display of summer flowers......Oh well !.
Title: Re: Chicken Friendly Plants ?
Post by: faith0504 on February 15, 2011, 05:34:27 pm: i have signed over our back garden to the hens and ducks, i have the front garden to plant and play in, i know my place ;)