building a chicken "grass salad bar" in the run.

[Egg Rookie 2010]

This is a great idea!

 

[cabincrazyone]

Quote:
I am also about to start a small flock in the city. I know the chickens will turn the lawn in the new run into bare dirt in no time.
I've been thinking about a light weight tractor, in addition to the run, that I can move around on the rest of the lawn every few days before the grass is ruined in each spot.
I like this idea better. A patch of lawn in the run about 2 by 4 feet that's protected by a frame covered in hardware cloth. I like this.

 

[Mark & Nique]

Howdy,

"I've been thinking about a light weight tractor, in addition to the run, that I can move around on the rest of the lawn every few days before the grass is ruined in each spot. "

We have a tractor that I move about once a week. It does help to keep the grass! Another tip that we discovered is to not mow the grass where our chickens free-range. The longer grass can handle more abuse; plus, the bugs like it -- and the chickens like the bugs!

Good luck!

 

[Me & My Peeps]

Quote:
I was recently looking at the website for Sands Hill Preservation Center and seen that they sell seed just for chickens!!

 

[cleoandtheo]

What a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

 

[SandyK]

Here's a picture of one that my DH made for me. They love it. He used 2x6's for the sides, reinforced the ends with cross pieces on the corners and then poultry wire across the top. You could also brace in the middle to keep them from pushing the wire down too much.

 

[cleoandtheo]

Ah!!! Photos are very helpful -- thank you!!!

 

[wolfandfinch]

Quote:
thank you, the photos really helped!

 

[wolfandfinch]

Quote:
Congrats! I'm sure you'll love it!
Where I live, the city told me they had to be in a pen at all times (I'm in the city, just a few blocks from the downtown area-though this is a small town). I really don't see how my securely fenced back yard is considered being "on the loose", but I don't want to ruffle any more feathers than I already have (a messy situation-they told me I could have them, then animal control showed up months later telling me I had only days to get rid of them, then they called and said I could keep them, but they had to be in a pen at all times and 50' from the property lines -actually not possible on my lot, but they let me by at around 30'-40'). We also have a large majority of "upper crust" elderly who think they should control very aspect if everything that goes on here. They are quick to complain about EVERYTHING. So, yeah... I'm legal, but just barely and I try to stay under the radar when I can :>

aha!
we have a very specific chicken bylaw here : http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/LICANDINSP/animalcontrol/chicken/index.htm

the coop has to be minimum 3' from the property line, HA! My lot is only 25' wide, so they can't be THAT picky.

We're supposed to register our chickens, but I won't until animal control comes and tells me to. My neighbours are either hipsters or eldery chinese families (I live practically in chinatown) so neither really generally has a chicken vendetta - YET. I don't have them yet

we're only allowed ot have 4 hens though

 

[hwxeper]

Do any of you guys have one main coop and run and also use chicken tractors? Do you keep the chickens you use in your tractors seperate from those in the main run/coop? Or do you switch them out sometimes? What do you do for the tractors in the winter when it snows or gets really cold? I saw where some people said they put tractors over their gardens in the winter or under trees in an orchard. I really like that idea. Maybe have 4 or 5 tractors with 2 or 3 hens and a rooster and breed them. Would they stay in the tractors their whole lives basically? If anyone could add to this thesis it would be grand!