The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on May 28, 2012, 04:51:34 pm

Title: do they eat.......
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 28, 2012, 04:51:34 pm
now, this will be a sticky thread for me as I'm still coming to terms with hens free rangeing (nothing I can do about the garden layout for now, so try to plant accordingly) - I hope you can help!

Tree Spinach - I know the regular one is a favourite but this is the tall different species with a purple top

Broad Beans

Courgette plants

Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: Sylvia on May 28, 2012, 05:51:12 pm
They will eat your spinach they will probably not eat your beans, they will peck at your courgettes :chook:
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: Bramblecot on May 28, 2012, 06:32:21 pm
Last year mine polished off all the courgette/marrow /pumpkin plants even when the leaves were quite large.  They particularly seemed to like the flowers  ::) .  The sweet corn plants didn't stand a chance either.  The broad beans are hanging in at the moment but the runners were demolished.
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: deepinthewoods on May 28, 2012, 07:03:50 pm
i bet they dont like celery :D
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 28, 2012, 07:48:14 pm
i bet they dont like celery :D

how did you know  ;D ;D ;D ? nor fennel or mint or garlic. onions they chuck about, which is really annoying
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: in the hills on May 28, 2012, 09:18:13 pm
Didnt eat my courgette plants but do eat the courgettes!
 
Will eat runner beans as they get started but not once they get up a bit - maybe just cover with a circle of chicken wire until they get up the sticks.
 
Didnt hurt the purple sprouting broccoli once it was established (much to the childrens disappointment). Again maybe just run some chicken wire around it for a while.
 
Didnt seem to like kale and dont eat mint, sage, rosemary or chives.
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: Fowlman on May 28, 2012, 09:23:28 pm
They love oregano and its good for them.
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: doganjo on May 28, 2012, 09:38:06 pm
I keep mine separate from fruit and veg plants ;D
Title: Re: do they eat.......
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 28, 2012, 10:21:11 pm
I take it peas are a goner once I take the fleece off  ::) ?

First that went was kale, next spinach and parsley, now they're even pecking at sorrel of all thing....
I would keep mine away from the veg , too, it worked for 2 years...I don't want to clip wings as it might save their lives to be able to fly. :chook: :&>