bare run

[rosemarythyme]

When I get rich (lol) I want to have a run that is large enough to divide so the chickens only go into one half, with the other half fenced off. I could let grass/weeds/forage crops grow for a few months, then divert the chickens there, while the other half grows.

I did pull something like that off for a while (we have a divided run) but then I decided to get more chickens. The grass I'd managed to hold onto was gone in a matter of weeks.

 

[jthornton]

Under your covered run

No, the straw is out in the chicken yard. The covered run is full of pine chips and in really wet times it stays wet for a long time.

JT

 

[aart]

No, the straw is out in the chicken yard. The covered run is full of pine chips and in really wet times it stays wet for a long time.

JT

Ah, sorry, I didn't realize that you had an area out from under cover.

 

[harmonyp]

As far as hay, there are lots of types of hay. Favorite for my chickens
is alfalfa (which I already have for the horses). For 17 chickens I put in about 1/3 of a flake twice a week or so.

I just put this in another thread (but can't find it). I plant and reseed rye grass regularly and keep it watered in the pen. I seem to be able to keep some amount of greenery growing if I keep after it. I then have Thompson grapes planted around the exterior. I have some barley seed coming, and will be next trying my hand at growing forage. I like my chickens having greenery.