Backyard Chicken Run

[Brigid of the Rockies]

My backyard is about 1000 sq ft. It’s weedy and uneven. Nothing to brag about. Anyway, I would like to take 200-300 sq ft for 6 hens and fence it off for the girls. I would put the coop within the fenced of area as well. I have gone back and forth between taking up all the weeds and adding sand/gravel or just leaving the weeds. Seems like they will dig and eat all the weeds with time just leaving dirt in its place. However they enjoy scratching around and eating the weeds and the bugs on them. Question: leave the weeds as they are or dig them up and replace w/ sand/gravel?

 

[Labelles Velders]

I’d leave the weeds and let them enjoy them. However, I’d put sand down when they destroy all the weeds.

 

[rosemarythyme]

100% leave the weeds, provided there's nothing dangerous in the weed mix. They'll happily destroy it over time.

 

[jthornton]

In the winter I put dried leaves in the chicken yard and in the summer I put a bale of straw in there and just cut the strings and pull them out and let the chickens tear it apart. They love to scratch in the straw and leaves and as it breaks down I add it to my compost bin.

JT

 

[TomZilla43]

I sure wouldn't do the extra work that those chickens would love to do for you. And like some others have posted when they get it down to dirt(and they will in fairly short order) you can put in sand or other natural materials to keep it from being a mud hole. I'd go natural materials(it's worked great for me, it doesn't smell bad like you might think). Hope you find a solution that works great for you, good luck

 

[Brigid of the Rockies]

Truly appreciate the advice. The weeds are staying put. Thanks everybody!

 

[blackdog043]

Leave the weeds. When half of it is dirt, add tree trimming wood chips or an undyed plain mulch. Add some dried leaves, yard and garden waste. As it breaks down, add more stuff.
This gives the chickens something to dig in, find bugs and dust bath. Your run won't smell or draw flies either.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I built my run last year and left the weeds. The chickens had a great time eating it all. Now the floor is completely dirt and I add pine shavings every week to keep it fresh.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I’d leave the weeds and let them enjoy them. However, I’d put sand down when they destroy all the weeds.

X2

 

[Brigid of the Rockies]

Love this advice. Many thanks