Trying to figure out how to garden with chickens can be problematic. Here are some tips from Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. Whatever system you use, keep chickens away from crops you plan to eat to avoid contamination with droppings that may carry salmonella, E.coli, or to other pathogens harmful to humans. Pathogens may absorb into a plants cells, where they can not be washed off. To be on the safe side, for root crops and any other crop in which the edible portions touches soil, keep chickens away for 120 days; for crops without soil contact, 90 days is sufficient.

Divide the garden area in two with the chicken house in the middle. Garden on one side and confine the chickens to the other, alternating these uses annually.
Build a portable shelter to fit over raised beds so you can rotate the birds along with your veggies.

Choose a breed with heavy leg feathering, since they tend to scratch less than others and will do less damage.

Let the chickens into your garden late in the day, giving them an hour or so to glean bugs and nip leaves but not enough time to do serious damage before they're ready to go to roost (keep them out while tomatoes are on the vine, though, as birds invariably make a beeline for the tomatoes)

Service	Details	Rates per hour
Assessment Consultation "I am interested, but don't know where to start?"	About 2 hours at your residence Assessment of space and coop plans Information on care and keeping of chickens Answers to questions at time of consultation or with an e-mail follow-up One phone consultation after initial visit	$40
Chicken Procurement “where do we get chicks? What is a Pullet?”	I will help you acquire your first chicks, pullets, or hens. Assessment of which flock is best for you and your family? Have children, needed docile chicken? *NOTE: Please do not mail order chicks, it is very stressful for the birds. They are often abandoned in post offices without food and water. Shipments can also get lost in the mail.	$40
Coop and Run Consultation“Pre-fab coop? Custom coop? That is a great question! Do you want it to blend in, or be a focal point?”	A visit to your residence to choose best location and housing type Advice and/or assistance with building your dream coop. Information on feeders, waters, feed, and general information on chicken accessories Information on coop security Seasonal Coop I.E. Heating and Cooling Chicken Budgeting One free 15-minute phone consultation after initial visit	$40
Design and Build“Are you a mid-century modern coop or a Victorian?”	Custom designed coop and run Have your own plans and need a builder? We are happy to procure materials, and build to specs We place special emphasis on form and function; our chicken houses are cheerful, light and airy, with excellent ventilation and windows for natural lighting.	Varies to size and scale of project

From under the lamp to in the coop	A visit to your residence to help your pullets transition to their new coop (about 1 hour) Information on feeding, watering, egg laying general care, and common illnesses Answers to questions at time of consultation or via e-mail follow-up One free follow up phone call	$40
Follow up anytime “Can you come out and look at this?”	A visit to your residence to make sure that your hens are healthy Information on feeding, watering, egg laying general care, and common illnesses Answers to questions at time of consultation or via e-mail follow-up One free follow up phone call	$40
911 Phone Call	Troubleshooting advice over the phone for a sick bird Phone call fee can be applied to Emergency House Call fee if I come out within 24 hours	$20 (payable by PayPal or check prior to phone call)
Chicken Sitting	Daily visits to water and feed Bedding changes Egg collection Special instructions welcome	Varies on location
911 House Call	A visit to your residence to assess a sick bird Research to determine possible causes of sickness Care to address problem, if possible, OR suggestions for care (may include referral for veterinary medicine) Suggestions for follow-up care and care for other members of flock	$75
Add-On Service “I want chickens, but I don’t have time to go out and get everything for them!	Coop maintenance Procurement of supplies needed for your chickens Instillation of seasonal need like lights and heaters	$35 per hour, billable in ½- hour increments

Had to take a break.

Chickens in your Garden

Consulting services up!