Keeping Chickens in Plantation?

[FarmTech]

I want to start a plantain plantation and I intend keeping over 100 local chickens in it. But the only problem is that they will scratch the soil and disturb roots and this might not be good for the plantain. So I want to know if there is anything that can be put on the chickens to prevent scratching. Any idea?

[GreenVet]

You can’t really stop chickens from scratching, it’s their nature. The best you can do is protect the base of the plantain with stones or bamboo.

[Vera]

I don’t know of any gadget to prevent scratching. Chickens will always scratch. Best option: protect the plants.

[CassavaBoss]

Once the plantain is mature (5-6 months), chickens won’t harm it much. The problem is only when the suckers are still young.

[Techie Farmer]

Don’t forget that scratching is good in some ways. Weeds will reduced drastically. Also, farmers in Uganda used chicken + banana system successfully. Key is to guard young suckers with palm fronds or tyres.

[YoungAgropreneur]

Another idea is to mulch thickly with dry leaves or grass. Even if chickens scratch, they mostly disturb the mulch, not the roots.

You can also improvise guards with palm fronds tied around the plant base. Cheap.

[Locus]

You can put wire mesh or old tyres around each plant. That way, even if chickens scratch, they can’t reach the roots.

[SheFarm]

One video I watched put the chickens in wire cages that are shaped like football. They can peck but cannot scratch.

[John@]

Don’t even think of putting anything on the chickens. That will stress or injure them.

I suggest you delay introducing chickens until the plantains are 5–6 months old and have established good roots.

[EcoFarm]

Another tip: plant legumes like mucuna or calopogonium between the plantain rows. They cover the soil and reduce the effect of scratching and add nitrogen to the soil.

[Hippo]

Over 100 local chickens on one plantation may be too many. You’ll need a large area (at least half an acre), otherwise they’ll over-scratch the soil. Why not start with 20–30 birds first? That way, you can observe how bad the scratching is before scaling up.

[FarmTech]

Waw. Thanks everyone. Great suggestions