Deterring chickens from certain areas

[lhousesoccer]

Hi Everyone! Is it possible to train chickens (negative reinforcement

) to stay out of certain areas? In the last few days, they have taken a liking to going under my wife's ornamental bushes that line one side of our house and front walk, and they scratch in the mulch and throw it everywhere. They also trample the plants and break bushes.

Outside of fencing that off, what can I do to let them know that's "out of bounds"?

Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Flock - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=371130&p=1

Our Coop - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=371140&p=1

 

[kickinchicken]

HA!

Good Luck with that! I recently rehomed 2 oprington pullets and a pair of SLW bantams. In all I had 7. They wreaked havoc all over my little yard. Mulch EVERYWHERE!

Now that I am down to 3 (with 3 cochin chickies in a brooder) I have decided to build a huge run with lots to do...and give them their own mulch play pen as well.

Terrible little buggers!

I used to run them off with the hose, but once you are out of sight they go back. Very short term memory

 

[noodleroo]

I hope you have better luck with it than me. When they were smaller, I was concerned that they might be able to squeeze themselves under a small space in the fence where one of the boards was a little warped. In true Murphy's fashion, that particular spot is exactly where they wanted to be! They played there, they napped there; I think they KNEW I didn't want them there...little stinkers....

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Land mines come to mind.

 

[GermanChick]

There is nothing you can do. My girls favorite hangout place is the front porch and the planted areas in front of the house. Poop on the front steps (very inviting), no more planters next to the door since they ate all of the plants, and nice dust bathing holes in the mulch....... At least they don't seem to like the roses and my favorite japanese maple

I try to get them off the porch whenever I see them but it doesn't really bother them. They are usually back within minutes.
So good luck with training your chickens, if you have success please let me know

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Land mines come to mind.

 

[kfchickenlady]

I dont know if this will work or not, but I have a new shrub I just planted in a corner of the run, and I want it to get big so they can sleep under it on hot days etc. I am going to try spraying it with a solution of tabasco, dish soap and a little oil. They are eating the leaves off and they go up and over the 5ft fencing I put around it...

wouldnt you know the top of this barrier is their fave perch?

I will let you know how it goes, if nothing else, that shrub wont have any bugs.

love the pics of your beautiful family and the pretty flock! where did you get the chicks? They actually resemble the breeds theyre supposed to be...

 

[Dorte]

This is a naive idea from someone who hasn't had chickens for long, so I'll let the experienced people rip the idea to pieces

How about placing hardware cloth on the ground on top of the mulch? It will be less of an eye sore than fencing it in, but I can imagine it will be a lot less fun without the option of scratching?

For the small plants and to avoid them nipping at the bushes I don't think there is anything you can do expect fencing it off. If your wife likes her garden I think a nice big run or a tractor are the only real solutions in the long run.

 

[33yardbirds]

We had to run a fence to keep them out of the frnt yard, We have Rocks and they are not inclined to go over it. They would rather walk then fly...................BUT there always that one hen !!!

FREEDOM!!

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Home Depot sells an animal repellent (I think it's called Critter Ridder) that is pepper based that I've heard works. I use a product from Lowes Hardware Store (don't have the name) that is an animal repellent that has pepper and 'putrified eggs' as active ingredients. I use it to keep possums and racoons away and notice that the birds will not dwell where it's been sprayed.