Chickens, a Goat and Mayhem

Well last year we had the brightest idea to add free range chickens to our garden, and we rescued a goat. It has been rather disastrous to say the least. For those who would like to add chickens to add to the permaculture value of your garden, it can be done…. but be prepared to lose a few plants along the way. The goat is finally learning what is off bounds, but obviously not a desirable addition to any garden. However it does give us a good addition of manure for our compost pile. The chickens have limited the plagues of grasshoppers we get every year, and perhaps have diminished the numbers of cutworms – however they love frogs, and all the beneficial insects too. Unfortunately we have decided enough is enough and they are being relegated to a smaller area of fruit trees and roses.