How Does Permaculture Benefit From Keeping Chickens? (2024)

“I’ve been dabbling in permaculture for the past couple of years in my small backyard garden in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve heard that keeping chickens can be a great addition to a permaculture setup, but I’m not quite sure how it works. Can you explain how chickens benefit a permaculture environment? Also, I’m concerned about the care and maintenance they might require. Is it worth it in the long run?” Thanks, Annette, Atlanta, USA.

How Chickens Can Supercharge Your Permaculture Setup

Hey Annette! First off, it’s fantastic that you’re already digging into permaculture (literally and figuratively!). Chickens really are one of the best possible additions to a permaculture system, so you’re on the right track with this idea. Chickens are often called the “gateway animal” to homesteading, and with good reason. They offer so many benefits that it’s honestly hard to imagine a fully functioning permaculture setup without them.

Natural Pest Control

One of the standout benefits that chickens bring to your garden is their biological pest control superpower. Chickens are like little feathered exterminators, constantly scratching the soil in search of insects, bugs, and other pests. This is their favorite hobby, and they’re quite good at it! Nematodes, ticks, beetles—you name it, they’ll hunt it. This is particularly beneficial in a permaculture system where chemical pesticides are a no-go.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably had a time or two when those pesky Japanese beetles turned your plants into Swiss cheese. Chickens can help keep that in check. Plus, by reducing pests naturally, you’re encouraging an organic environment where other beneficial insects can thrive. It’s a win-win!

Waste Management and Composting

Let’s talk poop—because it’s a big (and beneficial) deal. Chicken manure is gold in the gardening world, full of nitrogen and other nutrients that your plants crave. In a permaculture garden, this kind of nutrient cycling is key. When you include chickens in your system, you’re essentially turning waste into wealth.

Their droppings can be added directly to your compost pile to create rich, fertile compost. Just make sure to give it time to break down because fresh chicken manure is too “hot” to use right away—it can actually burn plants. Alternatively, if you scatter their droppings across the garden in small amounts as they roam, they’ll naturally fertilize the soil over time.

And don’t forget about the kitchen scraps! Chickens aren’t fussy eaters. Table scraps you might otherwise discard can be transformed into fresh eggs, which, in turn, creates more compostable waste. It’s a beautiful cycle.

Soil Aeration and Tilling

You know how much work it is to till soil every growing season? Chickens can help with that—minus the backache. As they scratch around looking for food, they naturally aerate and till the soil. This not only helps to break up compacted ground but also aids in mixing organic material into the soil, making it more fertile.

In the early spring before planting, letting your chickens roam in an area where you plan to grow is a handy and effective method. They’ll till shallowly and eat any weed seeds they come across, saving you some major prep work!

Eggs: A Renewable Resource

Let’s not forget one of the most obvious perks—eggs! Fresh, free-range eggs from your backyard flock are unbeatable in taste and nutritional value. It’s easy to underestimate how valuable this renewable food source can be, especially in a permaculture setting where self-sufficiency is the goal.

Their eggshells are also an overlooked bonus. Don’t toss them out; crush them and add them to your compost pile, or sprinkle them around plants to deter slugs. They can even be fed back to your chickens as a calcium supplement, after drying them out and crushing them.

Weed Management

Chickens are natural weeders. They love greens, so if you’ve got a patch overrun with weeds, your chickens will happily take care of it. Just be careful where you let them roam; they don’t distinguish between weeds and your prized lettuce! This is why I always keep a keen eye on them if I’m letting them loose in a productive garden area.

If you’re worried about them tearing up the wrong plants, a mobile chicken tractor is a great solution. It allows your chickens to be guided over specific areas, managing weeds and pests without giving them full access to your entire garden. You get the best of both worlds: clean garden beds and happy chickens.

Chickens and Permaculture Zoning

Permaculture principles often use a zone system to organize different areas of a property by how often you visit them. Chickens are perfect for a Zone 2 area—close enough to regularly visit for egg collection and feeding, but not so close that you’re constantly tripping over them.

This proximity means leftover kitchen scraps don’t have to travel far to become chicken feed, and their manure can easily be carted over to your compost pile. Plus, the noise (and occasional smell) won’t be as much of an issue when they’re not right outside your backdoor.

Chicken Tractors: The Mobile Solution

If you’re concerned about them wandering off or damaging certain areas, a chicken tractor can be a lifesaver. Think of it as a mobile coop that allows chickens to graze safely over specific areas of your garden. This way, they can enjoy fresh grass, bugs, and weeds while depositing manure, but they won’t wreak havoc on your tender vegetables or flower beds.

I’ve used one in my garden to weed and fertilize between rows, and it makes all the difference. Plus, there’s less worry about predators because the chickens are protected by the tractor.

Possible Challenges and Solutions

Annette, you asked about the care and maintenance, and you’re absolutely right to consider it. Chickens are living creatures with needs, and they’re not entirely “set it and forget it” like some other permaculture elements might be.

Here are a few common challenges you might face and how to deal with them:

• Predators: Hawks, raccoons, coyotes, and even your neighbor’s dog can pose a threat. Ensuring a secure coop and run, or using a mobile chicken tractor, can help keep your flock safe. Add some extra security with good fencing and bury part of it underground to prevent digging predators.
• Food and Water: While chickens are great foragers, they still need a steady supply of clean water and a well-rounded diet. Supplemental feed, especially in the winter or when ground foraging is limited, is necessary to keep them healthy and laying eggs.
• Noise: Roosters are notorious for their early wake-up calls. If you’re in an urban area, consider keeping just hens if noise is a concern. They’re much quieter!
• Coop Maintenance: Regular cleaning is a must to keep your chickens healthy and your garden smelling fresh. Deep bedding methods can help, reducing the frequency of cleanings by allowing manure to compost in place within the coop, adding organic material that can eventually go right into your garden beds.

Is It Worth It?

I can sense that you’re weighing the pros and cons, Annette, and I get it. Chickens do require work, but the benefits they bring to your permaculture setup can far outweigh the efforts needed to care for them. Not only will you get fresh eggs daily, but you’ll also gain free pest control, soil conditioning, and weed management—services that could cost a lot in time and resources if done manually or with commercial products.

I always say, the most beautiful thing about permaculture is how it enables different elements to work together, creating a harmonious system that’s stronger and more resilient than the sum of its parts. Chickens embody that perfectly by contributing so much while being relatively undemanding once you have them set up properly.

Final Thoughts…

Annette, thanks again for reaching out with your question! Hopefully, this has shed some light on how chickens can be a game-changer in your permaculture setup. Yes, they do come with some responsibilities, but their contributions are absolutely worth it. From fresh eggs to natural pest control, chickens can help you create a more balanced, sustainable garden that practically takes care of itself. Keep nurturing your green thumb, and remember that each element you add to your garden brings you one step closer to a thriving, self-sufficient ecosystem.