The Feathered Friends Are Back! Chickens Return to Leongatha Community Garden

Remember the happy clucks and busy scratching sounds? Get ready to welcome them back!  A new flock of hens has officially returned to their home in the Leongatha Community Garden.

The girls are settling back into their newly repaired and freshly cleaned coup. 

The timber and all the hardware to make the new doors was generously donated by Capeview Mitre 10,  Leongatha. The new doors were built by the Men's Shed Leongatha.

We thank Capeview Mitre 10 and the Mens Shed for their very generous and kind contributions.

Why We Love Having Our Chickens Back:

1. Natural Pest Patrol: Say goodbye to (some!) slugs, snails, and insects! Our hens are expert foragers, happily scratching and pecking their way through garden debris, helping to keep pest populations in check naturally.

2. Garden Gold (Fertiliser!): Their manure, mixed with carbon-rich bedding (like straw or wood shavings from the coop), is absolute gold for our compost piles. Once properly composted, it creates a nutrient-rich soil amendment that boosts the health of our communal and member plots.

3. Living Lessons: They provide wonderful opportunities for all members, young and old, to learn about animal husbandry, responsible pet care, and the cycle of nutrients in a sustainable garden system. Kids (and adults!) love observing their quirky behaviours.

4. Pure Garden Joy: There's something undeniably cheerful and grounding about watching chickens contentedly scratch, bask in a patch of winter sun, or chatter softly to each other. They add a unique, lively spirit to our shared space.

Meet the Flock (Again!):Please remember they are living creatures deserving of calm, respectful interaction. Always supervise children closely.

How You Can Help & Interact:

Volunteer for Egg Collection:

Our hens rely on volunteer members for their daily care! This involves:

○      Daily checking water, and topping up their feed and egg collection

○      If you are able to help contact the Garden Committee gathcg@gmail.com to join the chicken care team. Even one regular shift a month makes a huge difference!

Treats (The Right Kind!): If you'd like to treat the hens, please ONLY offer appropriate scraps in moderation. Excellent choices include:

○      Vegetable peels (no onion/garlic/avocado/potato)

○      Torn or chopped leafy greens

○      Cooked rice or pasta (plain)

○      Scrambled egg (yes, really!)

○      NEVER feed them processed foods, bread (in large quantities), chocolate, salty foods, or anything mouldy. Always check with a chicken care volunteer if unsure.

●      Observe & Enjoy: Watch their antics! Notice how they dust bathe, scratch, and communicate. It's a lovely way to connect with another aspect of garden life.

Welcome to your new Home, Girls!

We're so happy to have our feathered garden helpers and friends back. Their return adds another layer of life, learning, and sustainability to our wonderful Leongatha Community Garden. Keep an ear out for their cheerful clucks next time you visit!

Want to join the Chicken Care Team?

Contact Neil gathacg@gmail.com.

See you (and the hens) in the garden!