I fenced in an area roughly 1,000 square feet which started out with a lot of great ground cover. The free range area is sheltered by cedar trees which prevents most hawks from being able to swoop in. But there is not a lot of sun as a result. So in just a few months our 8-15 chickens have turned the entire free range area to dirt. We were letting them out to rummage around outside the fenced in area but got some complaints from neighbors about them wondering into their yards, so we have had to cease doing this.
So, are we still really free ranging? I am not sure if they still get the benefit of bugs and all that they get from foraging through grass and brush. They benefit from their dirt baths and seem very happy, but this was not the plan, to have them just free ranging on dirt.
There is no hope in planting grass. They would never give the grass a chance to grow.
Any suggestions?
So, are we still really free ranging? I am not sure if they still get the benefit of bugs and all that they get from foraging through grass and brush. They benefit from their dirt baths and seem very happy, but this was not the plan, to have them just free ranging on dirt.
There is no hope in planting grass. They would never give the grass a chance to grow.
Any suggestions?