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The original was posted on /r/permaculture by /u/cummerou on 2024-10-15 18:36:23+00:00.

I am looking at my property which is about 1/4 of an acre lawn/buildings + an attached 1/2 acre lot that has been left to grow for a number of years.

The 1/2 acre plot has some shrubs and trees on the edges, with the rest being various grasses, dandelions, etc

As I want to establish an orchard/food forest and grow various vegetables, I’ve been thinking of ways to get rid of the current vegetation in the best/least disruptive way for the soil (I sadly don’t have access to massive amounts of wood chips like many others seem to do).

I’ve been thinking to maybe get some older chickens who don’t lay as many eggs any more who could live out their retirement at my house and free-range on the plot. They would kill the vegetation except for the shrubs and trees (who could provide shade during the summer), whilst depositing nutrient rich manure. I get what I want without using poisons or heavy machinery, the chickens get a good life, win-win.

Would this work? And if so, how many would be needed assuming the free range all year?