chicken field holes management ideas?

[Cluckatar]

We use mobile coops and moveable fencing for our 30 chickens in a field on our property. They have also had access to our orchard at different times of year. I'm noticing that we have waaaay too many holes now from their digging and dust bathing activities. It's making mowing and walking around more dangerous.

Does anyone have management tips for limiting the holes, and/or filling them in later? I just had a fall after stepping into one of these holes covered up with weeds while mowing the orchard. I wasn't hurt thankfully (good job safety release on mower!) But not fun, and it's making a solution feel urgent. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[sourland]

Other than limiting the area they have access to, I can not think of a solution. A smaller area might be easier to monitor/control.

 

[aart]

filling them in later

That's about all you could do.

 

[Folly's place]

Would moving them more often help? Maybe adding a movable dusting station, if they will use it? And my 'lawn' is uneven, never mind the pastures! Critters do what they do, and flat ground is not something they worry about.
I don't ever look at the sky when walking, it's all about watching out for each step.
Mary

 

[samanthaoverton]

Solution; Ankle brace? Yes, I'm an ass I know what you mean I've fell in holes before. My dog has been digging in the front yard so he made holes for me too. Just got through filling in deep holes in the front yard and now I have to reseed. Animals are jerks..I'ma have to reseed another part of my yard because like you I have a mobile but for turkeys. However I move them every other day so 48 hours is all they have in one area. My mobile is a *itch to move. I help hubby what little I can. Luckily he's a big guy Moving more helps with holes. You still have to reseed though..if you want. I know I have to..

 

[Folly's place]

If it's green, and mowable, I don't much care what comes up. So reseeding the lawn doesn't happen.
However, now that we have poison hemlock everywhere in part shade, I'm alert for it. BEWARE! Look it up, an extremely scary plant.
Mary

 

[SourRoses]

My mom sprained her ankle in a chicken foxhole this spring. It meant a late night trip to the ER and several days of rest. Chooks got a lecture on where they play their wargames. We are not the red team!

I haven't had success filling them in, as any sharp marks from the shovel seem to function as a direct challenge.
I found raking more effective in the long term even though it only smooths things out enough to make rolling terrain. The rain also really helps here, because everything else is flat and our dirt is very sandy.

A few times I have moved their feeder (hanging on a shepherd's hook) where the worst trenches are, so that they are standing on the high spots while eating... you know what happens with those leg-hands while they visit the chow hall.
It's extremely effective. Only, a pia to move the feeder all around.
It usually requires a day on each side of the hole to make it even.