Best grass to plant in a chicken run?

[HoneysuckleHomestead]

As you can see, my run is pretty bare, and I'm wanting to get some greenery back in there.

I'm working on building a few "raised flower bed" frames and I'm going to plant some grass in them, somewhat like this...

BUT MY QUESTION IS... is there a particular type of grass that you'd recommend? Something with a little more nutritional value than others, something that is better quality, something that chickens like? Does it matter what type of grass I plant?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Trish1974]

Check out this link:
https://www.naturesseed.com/pasture-seed/poultry-pastures
They have livestock specific mixes.

 

[HoneysuckleHomestead]

Check out this link:
https://www.naturesseed.com/pasture-seed/poultry-pastures
They have livestock specific mixes.

OHHHH! This looks interesting! Have you tried any of these before?

 

[aart]

Those are called grazing frames and I believe that pic is from this website:
http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

Here's a bit of info on how I built mine:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/grazing-frames.73645/

I mostly plant wheat in them.

 

[TennesseeFarm]

I coulnt say what would be best, but if you had a small tiller or manis to turn up the ground a bit im sure itd help your grass grow.

 

[MillersFarm]

I have 15 acres of planted pasture, which consists of Timothy grass and red clover, all of my birds are always out foraging in the pastures when I'm outside.

 

[Trish1974]

OHHHH! This looks interesting! Have you tried any of these before?

I did buy a small bag of the poultry mix for my run, but my plans changed and I'm going to use it as a cover crop in my garden instead.

 

[Melky]

As you can see, my run is pretty bare, and I'm wanting to get some greenery back in there.
View attachment 1564997

I'm working on building a few "raised flower bed" frames and I'm going to plant some grass in them, somewhat like this...
View attachment 1564998

BUT MY QUESTION IS... is there a particular type of grass that you'd recommend? Something with a little more nutritional value than others, something that is better quality, something that chickens like? Does it matter what type of grass I plant?

Thanks for any input!

Here is my review on chicken salad seed from MPC. This grew great in 4x4 bed. I did cover it with grow cloth as shown for 4-5 weeks till up then you can uncover.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/chicken-salad-seed-mix.11878/

I recently went to a soil class and learned about cover crops. These grow in hard to grow areas and give nutrition back to the soil if leave roots in ground if not chicks just like them. They are grasses/ grains (cereal rye, oats, flax), Legumes (peas, clover,vetch), Brassicas (turnip, radish, mustard, canola), and Broadleaf(barley, wheat, sorghum). Cover crops suppress weeds, amend soil, and fix nutrients in soil naturally. Just grow and let them free range on it.

 

[jthornton]

I have 8 small sprout boxes (12" x 24") covered with HC then a strip of wood over the edge. I rotate them daily and just uncover them and let the hens have at it. I use wheat feed.

They look like 1/2 of these.


I'd go take a photo of them but it's 50°F and raining lol.

JT

 

[aart]

I rotate them daily

What do you mean 'rotate daily'...do you only allow access every few days?