[Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
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[Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
[edited title for clarity - moderator prudent]
We have a chicken that is coming into our flower beds and stirring them up, leaving dirt and mulch on the sidewalks.
The chicken roosts next door, the neighbor likes her, Henrietta is her name. She is very friendly, comes right up and clucks.
Now the chicken doesn't bother me, but DW is sore POed having to constantly sweep the sidewalks.
Does anyone know of a product that could be sprayed in the flower beds that would not be toxic to man nor beast nor plant, yet disliked by a chicken?
And no, she will not be Sunday dinner!
Thank you!
Broken Man 1999
We have a chicken that is coming into our flower beds and stirring them up, leaving dirt and mulch on the sidewalks.
The chicken roosts next door, the neighbor likes her, Henrietta is her name. She is very friendly, comes right up and clucks.
Now the chicken doesn't bother me, but DW is sore POed having to constantly sweep the sidewalks.
Does anyone know of a product that could be sprayed in the flower beds that would not be toxic to man nor beast nor plant, yet disliked by a chicken?
And no, she will not be Sunday dinner!
Thank you!
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
- arcticpineapplecorp.
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Re: Chicken be gone!
No but I thought this was going to be another "Should I lump sum?" type question. My friend used to have one and it would fly over the fence into the neighbor's yard.
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Re: Chicken be gone!
Motion activated sprinkler?
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Re: Chicken be gone!
My chickens hate plastic snakes but I think that would only be temporary and could make it start squawking loudly if it gets scared. Fencing or plants they cant dig up is the only thing that seems to work. A motion activated sprinkler could work too. Chickens will constantly test boundaries for any weakness.
Is this a wild/feral hen?
Is this a wild/feral hen?
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Would a simple clear fishing line about 1ft off ground work? Ive seen this done to keep geese away.
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- quantAndHold
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I really preferred the original thread title. Much more evocative.
As to the topic, I have no advice. I’m just busy laughing.
As to the topic, I have no advice. I’m just busy laughing.
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Re: Chicken be gone!
Maybe I will try a super-soaker water gun.
We are on strict water use times.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
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Re: Chicken be gone!
Definitely not wild, she is very friendly. I believe she ran away from home.barnaclebob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:37 pm My chickens hate plastic snakes but I think that would only be temporary and could make it start squawking loudly if it gets sc ared. Fencing or plants they cant dig up is the only thing that seems to work. A motion activated sprinkler could work too. Chickens will constantly test boundaries for any weakness.
Is this a wild/feral hen?
So far as a plastic snake, DW would probably have a real big NO WAY on that. She is dearhly afraid of snakes, alive, dead, artificial.
I have a huge black snake living with a gopher turtle under our deck, but he never comes into the front yard, as there are woods behind us where he probably hunts.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
This is a riddle, right?
I'm going with "Chicken wire".
I'm going with "Chicken wire".
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I don't think so, as she jumps over perimeter plants with ease to do her scratching around.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I was hoping MrBobcat was going to suggest a bobcat. I came across a bobcat the other day and there were no chickens anywhere around to be seen. Here's a photo I took of the bobcat.
Re: Chicken be gone!
There is something you can put in flower beds that is supposed to deter cats. Looks like little plastic flexible prongs sticking up in the air. I think the whole point is to stop an animal from clawing at the ground. Might work for chickens as well. Don't know what it is called, but remember seeing it in a gardening supply catalog.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
We had a neighbor who brought home a dozen chickens after too much happy hour. We're in the woods full of hawks, owls and foxes. I'm ignoring the occasional bear and coyote, which we also do have.
One chicken wandered into my yard. An orange streak came across the lawn like an alien ship, and when the commotion stopped, mama fox was bringing dinner back to the den.
The neighbor tells us that indeed, a chicken wire fence kept the chickens in. Without a top, it didn't keep a hawk out, who easily airlifted a chicken over and out.
After 3 weeks, a dozen became none. I guess anything that encourages animals of prey could work.
One chicken wandered into my yard. An orange streak came across the lawn like an alien ship, and when the commotion stopped, mama fox was bringing dinner back to the den.
The neighbor tells us that indeed, a chicken wire fence kept the chickens in. Without a top, it didn't keep a hawk out, who easily airlifted a chicken over and out.
After 3 weeks, a dozen became none. I guess anything that encourages animals of prey could work.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I would be OK using chicken wire in the back yard, but not the front right by our front door.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
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Re: Chicken be gone!
Chicken wire placed on the ground could deter them. We used to do that on areas of grass where my chickens were digging up too much. The chicken wire will still allow the chicken to be an automatic weeder too.retiredjg wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:11 pm There is something you can put in flower beds that is supposed to deter cats. Looks like little plastic flexible prongs sticking up in the air. I think the whole point is to stop an animal from clawing at the ground. Might work for chickens as well. Don't know what it is called, but remember seeing it in a gardening supply catalog.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Well, my original title was going to be "DW doesn't like my new chick!"quantAndHold wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:57 pm I really preferred the original thread title. Much more evocative.
As to the topic, I have no advice. I’m just busy laughing.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Nope! I won't do that to Henrietta!Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:12 pm We had a neighbor who brought home a dozen chickens after too much happy hour. We're in the woods full of hawks, owls and foxes. I'm ignoring the occasional bear and coyote, which we also do have.
One chicken wandered into my yard. An orange streak came across the lawn like an alien ship, and when the commotion stopped, mama fox was bringing dinner back to the den.
The neighbor tells us that indeed, a chicken wire fence kept the chickens in. Without a top, it didn't keep a hawk out, who easily airlifted a chicken over and out.
After 3 weeks, a dozen became none. I guess anything that encourages animals of prey could work.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: Chicken be gone!
That makes sense to me. And probably cheaper.barnaclebob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:16 pm Chicken wire placed on the ground could deter them. We used to do that on areas of grass where my chickens were digging up too much. The chicken wire will still allow the chicken to be an automatic weeder too.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I think I will buy a super-soaker gun.
I can always use it to get DW when she isn't working hard enough in the yard.
Good yard help is hard to find around here.
Broken Man 1999
I can always use it to get DW when she isn't working hard enough in the yard.
Good yard help is hard to find around here.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
- Doom&Gloom
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Any way to rig a (plastic or ???) outline of a hawk in flight a la a scarecrow in the garden? Or even inconspicuously nearby so that it sometimes casts a shadow over the garden?
Tossing chicken feed into a neighbor's yard?
Good luck with the Super Soaker!
Tossing chicken feed into a neighbor's yard?
Good luck with the Super Soaker!
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Good luck with the water gun. I used to have a small backyard flock (a raccoon eventually changed that). For whatever reason they preferred coming onto the patio to relieve themselves. I took a day to try to train them by spraying them with water whenever they came onto the patio. It only made them afraid of me and the hose. But they were right back relieving themselves when I wasn’t around.
Somebody provided the solution above, the automatic sprinkler. That was what my buddy used to solve his same problem. I understand the water shortage, though. Garden fencing around the patio did end up working for me but it was a pain getting in and out of the yard.
You also could try filling a kiddie pool with dirt and possible entice her to scratch there. It might be an eye soar. And against HOA rules if those exist.
Somebody provided the solution above, the automatic sprinkler. That was what my buddy used to solve his same problem. I understand the water shortage, though. Garden fencing around the patio did end up working for me but it was a pain getting in and out of the yard.
You also could try filling a kiddie pool with dirt and possible entice her to scratch there. It might be an eye soar. And against HOA rules if those exist.
Re: Chicken be gone!
We have seen this method used to deter opossums and skunks from digging in flower beds.barnaclebob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:16 pm
Chicken wire placed on the ground could deter them. We used to do that on areas of grass where my chickens were digging up too much. The chicken wire will still allow the chicken to be an automatic weeder too.
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I would go to a sporting goods or farm supply and buy fox or coyote urine. Pour it along the border of the area you don’t want the chicken.
Disclaimer; I’m no chicken expert. I’m simply presuming that a chicken can smell the urine of a predator and might back away from it.
Disclaimer; I’m no chicken expert. I’m simply presuming that a chicken can smell the urine of a predator and might back away from it.
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Here is the product I was thinking about above....https://www.gardeners.com/buy/scat-mat- ... 92448.html
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Home Depot has/had fake plastic owls you can fill with sand, water, or not. You could put one on the roof so chicken sees it and one on the ground. They keep the birds away at our house and chickens are birds, I’m told.
No wonder we never have bird nests here.
You could also cover the plants with netting (like in the vegetable garden).
No wonder we never have bird nests here.
You could also cover the plants with netting (like in the vegetable garden).
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I fell for this hook, line and sinker. Well done!livesoft wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:09 pm I was hoping MrBobcat was going to suggest a bobcat. I came across a bobcat the other day and there were no chickens anywhere around to be seen. Here's a photo I took of the bobcat.
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Me too. Big laugh from that one.Colorado13 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:05 pmI fell for this hook, line and sinker. Well done!livesoft wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:09 pm I was hoping MrBobcat was going to suggest a bobcat. I came across a bobcat the other day and there were no chickens anywhere around to be seen. Here's a photo I took of the bobcat.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Wrong bobcat - this one works much betterretiredjg wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:30 pmMe too. Big laugh from that one.Colorado13 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:05 pmI fell for this hook, line and sinker. Well done!livesoft wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:09 pm I was hoping MrBobcat was going to suggest a bobcat. I came across a bobcat the other day and there were no chickens anywhere around to be seen. Here's a photo I took of the bobcat.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
I had actually thought about that.Enjoy11 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:47 pm I would go to a sporting goods or farm supply and buy fox or coyote urine. Pour it along the border of the area you don’t want the chicken.
Disclaimer; I’m no chicken expert. I’m simply presuming that a chicken can smell the urine of a predator and might back away from it.
But, even if it would work, I don't think I would want to use that right outside my front door. I assume it could be pretty rank smelling.
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Ah, totally missed the photo. I didn't click on it because I am familiar with bobcats. I lived near woods while growing up, and would occasionally see one in the yard.surfstar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:46 pmWrong bobcat - this one works much betterretiredjg wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:30 pmMe too. Big laugh from that one.Colorado13 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:05 pmI fell for this hook, line and sinker. Well done!livesoft wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:09 pm I was hoping MrBobcat was going to suggest a bobcat. I came across a bobcat the other day and there were no chickens anywhere around to be seen. Here's a photo I took of the bobcat.
Broken Man 1999
Broken Man 1999
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Place a photo of Colonel Sanders in the flower bed.
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Sadly Henrietta was attacked while roosting at the neighbors early this morning, apparently by a fox, a bobcat, or a coyote. Only a few feathers were left in the neighbor's yard. Our back yards butt up against a small wooded area. It might have been a great horned owl, as there is a pair in the woods, as well. I have seen them when I am out on our deck at night.
RIP, Henrietta!
Broken Man 1999
RIP, Henrietta!
Broken Man 1999
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Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Type into Google : "deterrents against chicken in flower bed".
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
That’s too bad, I’m sorry to hear it. Henrietta sounded like a cool chicken.
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
She was a feral chicken? Your neighbor didn't own her?
Re: [Need a product to deter chickens from being in flower beds]
Sorry to hear about Henrietta.
Hens don’t have a real sense of smell (or taste), so predator urine would not have worked.
Our backyard hens were persistent enough to get past every measure we tried to keep them off the deck. (We have water use restrictions so no automatic sprinklers). Their curiosity is part of what makes them so endearing.
Chicken wire on the ground was a great suggestion.
RIP Henrietta
Hens don’t have a real sense of smell (or taste), so predator urine would not have worked.
Our backyard hens were persistent enough to get past every measure we tried to keep them off the deck. (We have water use restrictions so no automatic sprinklers). Their curiosity is part of what makes them so endearing.
Chicken wire on the ground was a great suggestion.
RIP Henrietta