How to Keep Chickens Out of My Flower Pots

Chickens aren't above wreaking havoc in your flower pots.

Chickens like to scratch and forage. In fact, scratching is probably one of the characteristics they are best known for -- besides tasting pretty good. Chickens are not too picky as to what they will scratch, and rarely have issue with performing their favorite activity in flower pots. Unfortunately for the flower and the pot, all that scratching can destroy a plant's roots and likely cause it to perish, not to mention causing damage to the pot. Keeping chickens out of your flower pots is a matter of creating barriers and instilling fear.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire
• Work gloves
• Wire cutters
• Shovel
• Rubber or plastic predators

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of the pot you need to protect against your chicken wire by wrapping it around the pot. Make a bend to make the spot. Put on work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and cut the chicken wire to size with wire cutters.

2. Stand chicken wire in the ground around the pot. Use chicken wire that is about 3 feet tall; a height that is usually high enough to prevent the chickens from jumping on top of it. Place the chicken wire on the ground and wrap it all the way around so that it surrounds the plant. Push the wire down into the ground about 2 inches, if your ground is soft enough. If the ground is too hard, you'll have to perform a bit of extra work. Use a shovel to create a thin trench around the plant where you want to insert the chicken wire -- only make it about as thick as the wire itself. Push the wire down into the trench, then place dirt around the wire to keep it in place and sturdy. Push the wire down into the ground another 2 inches if the wire wavers.

3. Place fake predators in the pot. Natural chicken predators include snakes, raccoon, possums and large birds. If the chicken spots such an animal in a flower pot, there's a good chance the it will stay away. Set a rubber or plastic snake or other fake predator on the dirt in the pot to keep the chickens away. Place larger fake predators on the ground near the pot, if there's not enough room in the dirt. Move the predator around every three or four days so the chicken doesn't get used to it.

4. Lay chicken wire down flat directly on the flower pot's soil. Chickens will often spend time in flower pots to scratch and peck at the dirt. Placing the chicken wire on the soil will prevent that action from taking place. Use chicken wire that contains small holes to prevent the chicken from getting its beak in between the squares. Typically, once the chicken touches the metal, it will walk away in search of something else more interesting.

Tips & Warnings

• Chicken wire and natural chicken deterrents are often available at garden centers and animal feed stores.

• If all else fails, place your plants in hanging baskets.

References

• Suquamish Farmer's Market; Backyard Chickens Guide; Alan Trunkey

Resources

• Arizona State University; Backyard Poultry Flocks; Jeff Schalau; Feb. 25, 2004