Natural Pest Control Agents

Chickens can be kept for more than just their eggs and meat, but as natural pest controllers. Paul Donovan gives us the lowdown

- 

For many people, keeping chickens is a rewarding hobby that can provide a steady supply of fresh eggs and, for some, a source of homegrown meat. However, the benefits of keeping chickens can extend far beyond the breakfast table. While their egg-laying and meat production often take centre stage, chickens have a secrete talent that often goes unnoticed: their appetite for insects. As natural foragers, a few hens milling around the garden can help keep the garden, or smallholding, pest free.

By integrating chickens into your garden or smallholding, you can tap, as I have found to my own benefit, their natural pest control abilities, and reduce the need for chemicals to create a more sustainable and balanced environment. But how exactly can a few hens running around help with pest control, and what pests can they target?

HOW CHICKENS HUNT AND CONTROL PESTS

The natural foraging and inquisitive nature of chickens is what makes them such ideal pest controllers. They have exceptionally keep eyesight, and can spot a juicy pest a mile off. As they scratch and peck at the ground, they uncover hidden insects, such as ants, beetle larvae and other buried creepy-crawlies, which then find their way into the chickens digestive system. This behaviour not only reduces insect pest populations, but also helps prevent damage to plants and crops.