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Location

Message

Date Posted

Madera, CA

My kids want chickens but I am worried about the pumpkins. If we get them they will get into the pumpkin garden. Are they good because they will insects or are they bad for another reason?

4/7/2011 11:09:43 PM

Polson, Montana

I have chickens but fence them out of the garden and pumpkins; they will destroy a lot of stuff. Guineas however tend to eat the insects and do not destroy the garden or pumpkins.

4/7/2011 11:25:56 PM

Williston, VT

Yes chickens are great for eating insects (no ticks in our yard) but chickens also stratch and dig, they will dig up your plants! Let them roam over your patch before and after the season but fence them out when you have plants in the ground.

4/7/2011 11:31:23 PM

Bethlehem CT

My chickens get into my patch several times each summer, they really love to scratch and dig the soft pumpkin soil. (When they accidentally get let out) I am sure they kill a lot of roots. They like to hide underneath all the foliage, they feel really safe under there. It is Good advice about keeping them out during the growing season.

4/8/2011 7:02:51 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Protect the pumpkin, and let the chickens in the garden 45 minutes before sundown...this gives them time to eat some bugs and weeds before they are called back to the roost.

4/8/2011 1:08:40 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Research a "chicken tractor". I use one to create new garden and pumpkin patch space. Then I move them out of the way for the growing season.

4/8/2011 1:40:13 PM

Corryton, TN

Chickens will peck pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupe, tomatoes and just about anything else that looks interesting to them and if it taste good it's GONE!!

4/8/2011 5:06:29 PM

Pei Springvale

we feed the pumpkins that are small or cracked or aborted
to the chickens. they eat them all up they love them.

4/8/2011 6:54:48 PM