They are scratching for seeds and/or insects so the only way to keep them out of the beds is to fence them out. Remember they can fly so you may have to cover the top with something like cheese cloth or wire screening.

Short of you erecting a fence to keep those chickens out there is little you can do if your neighbor does not keep them contained. What does your township have to say about keeping chickens, or other farm type animals? The zoning ordinances here require that you have a minimum of 5 acres for any, common, farm animal (even just 1 chicken) and also requires that the owner prevent these animals from causing harm to others or their property. If you have something similar your neightbor may be in violation and your township ordinance enforcer needs to be contacted.

rasie, I could not resist this opportunity to offer "guaranteed poultry eradication". Keep a boa constrictor, python or Salem penta as a pet. If you cannot, then post a sign, "My Garden protected by Monty the Camoudi!"

Aw, you don't want to use a shotgun. It leaves too many BBs in the bird. A well placed shot from a pellet gun or .22 will do. Chicken soup is great this time of year. This is also why a dog is man's best friend.

tj

I've had chickens and veggie gardens - unfortunately the two don't mix well. You can control the scratching by putting chicken wire or the plastic plant flats over the ground. If they're eating the plants then you need a tall fence or have a top cover as someone else said. If you like fresh eggs then build a simple wire enclosure (look up "chicken tractors" and keep them. Mine became so destructive in the garden that I had to keep them in a chicken tractor, which I moved around to where I wanted them to scratch (and poop) or where I had weeds. I could let them out for awhile, supervised.