[oink]

As the title says my chickens got into my newly planted asparagus bed and ate the tips of 3 and pretty much the whole of one.  They are 1 year old crowns that I planted this year and I've heard that on no account can you pick them this year as they need the strength to grow next year.  Do you think they've had it? 

Luckily they didn't touch the other 8 plants but it really will be a pain if I have to fill in the gaps next year as I've also heard the roots of the survivors can't be disturbed.

Any suggestions other than eating all my chickens out of spite

[ellisr]

I don't know about asparagus but I think they may survive. If i have anything that is precious I make a cage to go over it to keep chickens, pigeons, rabbits etc away.
A few lengths of 2x1 and some old weldmesh and jobs done.

[ellied]

I planted 2 new 1 year crowns this year and the cats knocked off the single spear of one of them   It seems to be trying a second spear which I've netted around to try and help it survive   The other one still has just the one original spear but it's turned frondy now so is less easily damaged by the cat traffic

So hopefully your damaged crown will try again if you can keep it safe this time..

[BlueDaisy]

I would expect it to be okay but you don't want the naughty chickens getting in for second helpings!!
We planted asparagus last year and I don't think any of the crowns only sent up one spear, but the spears do all come at different times, so hopefully  another spear will be along soon on the damaged plants to set your mind at rest