No, Marigold’s made it out unscathed gotta love fr

From my own experience managing a garden with free-range chickens, I completely understand the struggle described here with marigolds and other plants getting torn up. While free-range chickens contribute to pest control and fertilizing the soil naturally, they are notorious for scratching around and sometimes damaging delicate garden plants, especially young seedlings and flowers. One useful strategy I've found is to use lightweight garden netting or chicken wire to cover vulnerable areas, especially marigolds, tomatoes, and cucumbers. This prevents the birds from scratching the soil too aggressively or pulling off plant tops while still allowing sunlight and rain to reach the plants. It's also helpful to create designated scratching areas away from the garden beds by placing a patch of cleared soil or sand where chickens can dig freely. This can sometimes reduce their interest in the plants. Additionally, planting marigolds as companion plants can repel some garden pests but may not always deter the chickens themselves, so physical barriers remain essential. Patience is key as the flock learns boundaries, and regular observation helps identify problem spots early. Using raised garden beds, as mentioned, is another great way to keep the soil structure intact and plants safer from ground-level disturbances. Balancing free-range chicken benefits with garden protection is a rewarding process that combines love for homesteading and sustainable gardening. Keep experimenting with barriers and chicken management to find what works best for your setup.