4 Reasons to Garden with Chickens

Having chickens is just good for the soul. They are easy to care for and provide you with food, what else could you want! Many say, “But what about my garden?!” Well before you start thinking about the destruction they may cause in your garden, think about all of the benefits there are to chickens and gardens co-existing together. 

1

They are great bug eaters, they will eat the harmful insects from your gardens without you even asking. These bugs are a tasty treat for chickens and one less thing to worry about destroying your plants. Chickens will gladly take care of beetle larvae, aphids, caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and their larvae!

A chicken pecking at the ground with Double Play Gold Spiraea in the background
A chicken pecking in the dirt in front of DOUBLE PLAY® Gold. Photo credit: @gardensandchickens Instagram
2

When they are wandering around your garden they also poop in it, but this is good! This fertilizes your garden without you having to lift a finger. Better yet, they scratch it all around the plants along with spreading your mulch. This also assists in tilling your soil and bringing much-needed nutrients to the surface. 

A close up of Reminiscent™ Coral Rose with chickens free ranging in the back.
Reminiscent™ Coral Rose in the front with chickens enjoying free-ranging in the back.
3

They help you weed! They’ll eat the seeds of weeds and help you keep weeds at bay, keeping your garden cleaned and happy.

A chicken weeding in the garden.
Photo credit: @gardensandchickens Instagram
4

In case those benefits aren’t enough, letting your chickens free-range eating those bugs, weeds, and sometimes your plants – makes your eggs taste even better and adds more nutrients!

Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs in front of a red chicken coop.
Chicken-safe shrubs in front of a chicken coop.

So the next time your chicken digs up a plant (or two) or even decides to make one of your plants a comfortable seat, think about how much good they are adding to your garden (and to your life) by roaming it freely (except maybe your veggie garden, too much temptation there). Overall, gardening with chickens brings benefits not only to your chickens but also to your plants. 

Written by
McKenna

McKenna

I am new to the gardening scene and love sharing information and inspiration as I continue to learn and grow with my garden. My sunny and small apartment balcony in USDA zone 6 is the current source of my gardening inspiration. I have filled this small space with herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and more as I continue to search for a house to fulfill my gardening dreams. I also will be sharing interesting tips on gardening with chickens as I grew up showing, breeding, and raising them.

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