How Do You Keep Open Range Chickens Out Of Flower Beds?

Open, or free range, chickens roam freely without the confines of a cage or fencing. They forage for food and will seek out places that are easy for them to scratch and dig. Flower beds present an optimal place for insects and tiny pebbles that they require for digestion. Open range chickens will also dig holes in exposed soil in which to take a dust bath. Discouraging chickens from choosing your flower bed is not an easy task. Rake mulch surrounding your flowers at least 6 inches from the garden's edge. Measure the length and width of your garden. Cut the chicken fencing (this is a small wire fence that can be purchased at any garden center) in half lengthwise, creating two 6-inch-high pieces of fencing. Use the length measurement to cut lengths of fencing to fit the front and back sides of your garden. Use the width measurement to cut lengths of fencing to fit the sides of your garden. Lay the longest pieces of fencing flat on the ground in front of the flower bed and in the back. ...  more