[robbiechick]

Every year i always grow flowers from seeds but now that ive got chickens i know that it is going to be hit and miss as to what they will destroy or leave alone.Dont get me wrong the chickens come first but has anybody got any ideas what i could grow this year that  chickens  arent to keen on. Thanks.

RC

[PinkTequila]

Anything that grows well on the moon seems to be let alone by my chickens.

Someone did tell me that they don't like asparagus. They have never eaten the daffodil flowers either but have dug the bulbs up.

[poultrygeist]

Cacti ??

Hanging baskets on a 6ft post ?

Rob

[nnbreeder]

And if they don't eat them outright they will dig them up while dust bathing. A netting type enclosure over the flower beds is about the only answer.

[BestBreast]

Hi this is something I too need to establish. Currently my four hens have a flower bed with Chinese lanterns (they heft them well alone), a small conifer (again left alone), daffodil and crocus bulbs have been continuously snapped by them scratching around (but I believe they don't like the flowers). Hellebore's have survived but as they were only small plants don't look that good but perhaps a larger plant would be OK. There are a few other plants but right now I cannot think of their names. They don't like rosemary so this may be OK you could also try sage and thyme not sure if they would be eaten or survive (perhaps someone has tried). I have read that shrubs like Lavateras and flowering currents will survive, as will buddleia. I have various plants I would like to try as looking to use from my garden rather than buying. However not sure of names yet so will have to investigate.

[Roughlee Handled]

There not keen on plastic or silk flowers.

[richyrich7]

Mine have devoured 2 rosemary plants, in my garden the only things that have survived are the yuccas, ornamental grasses fair well, but the cat chews them :roll:  the Fatsia Japonica and the mahonia, trees are ok as they can't get at them, but after that what they don't eat they trample the only real way is to keep them off, whether thats in a permanent run or netting over the plants etc.

[agingchick]

Mine haven't touched the lavender or hebe in my borders they love the insects living in them.

[mtoyne]

Mine seem to eat everything. Even caught them eating my hubbys beloved Acer. I just plant in pots then move the pots in while they are in their run. Does everyone else have a garden covered in mud and stones with nothing else growing? or is it just me.

[richyrich7]

Does everyone else have a garden covered in mud and stones with nothing else growing? or is it just me.

Nope mines not a lot better, they are confined to barracks for a week or so to give everything a rest. Their not happy tho'  :roll:

[Aunt Sally]

Plastic flowers are good - just stick them back in the ground after they've been dug up  

[robbiechick]

 :unsure:Thanks for all your replys.Im going to grow what i normally grow and see what they do with all my other plants,i might just put things in pots and put them in my boarders.My chickens have a good size run 10ftx70ft but i love to see them in the garden aswell.Ill let you know what is a sucess and whats not and wheather you can have a nice flowery garden or not with chickens(im not holding my breath).

[woodburner]

Hmm, trees and shrubs over 2ft tall? 
It's not the eating so much as the scratching that's the problem. 

[Spadefighter]

Mine keep breaking into the veggie patch at the mo, thats not good.

[andreadon]

only way to be sure is to put chicken wire around anything you want to keep.
 

I've had to put it round all my pots too because they seem to love anything in there.
mostly i have mint in pots, but not had any mint-flavoured eggs!