Destroying my lawn

[Ponte]

Have had my chickens around 9 months. One began laying 10 weeks ago and two around 10 days ago. Two will hopefully begin laying in around one month.
The pullets are free ranging in an area approximately 90x45 feet.
Feed, all flock, is always available.
They have an area to dust bath.

Around ten days ago the pullets began tearing up the lawn, the lawn is now looking like Swiss cheese.

Is this behavior related to them laying eggs and needing more protein ? If so are they digging to get to worms, etc.
Will giving them more protein stop them from digging up the lawn ?

 

[DobieLover]

Have had my chickens around 9 months. One began laying 10 weeks ago and two around 10 days ago. Two will hopefully begin laying in around one month.
The pullets are free ranging in an area approximately 90x45 feet.
Feed, all flock, is always available.
They have an area to dust bath.

Around ten days ago the pullets began tearing up the lawn, the lawn is now looking like Swiss cheese.

Is this behavior related to them laying eggs and needing more protein ? If so are they digging to get to worms, etc.
Will giving them more protein stop them from digging up the lawn ?

Giving more protein won't stop them tearing up the lawn. They may hear grubs or something just under the surface and they are after them. They will hunt down live protein if they can. If you don't want them to tear up the lawn, you are going to have to confine them to their own area.

 

[chrissynemetz]

In my experience chickens are just really hard on a lawn. They dig and scratch all day. I honestly have never had any luck keeping a lawn in any place my flock free range.

 

[DobieLover]

In my experience chickens are just really hard on a lawn. They dig and scratch all day. I honestly have never had any luck keeping a lawn in any place my flock free range.

I think it depends on the population density and what is in the area. I have 28 birds confined to 1/3 acre and I still have plenty of grass in there. But they have planting arrangements with wood chips and there are wood chips in the run that they like to scratch through.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I have about a half acre that my flock free range on, and all it ever was, was plain old grass. I have 70 chickens who did a quick job removing it all.... I totally agree with you @DobieLover

 

[Ponte]

Giving more protein won't stop them tearing up the lawn. They may hear grubs or something just under the surface and they are after them.

Our temperature has been mild and it’s rain lightly every few days, maybe it’s brought on an abundance of grubs which is why they are now digging up the lawn.

 

[mviera101]

Oh my! my girls are tearing up my lawn, like no other that I've had. My backyard grass is starting to resemble a map of the US.They are spoiled rotten with healthy table scraps so I don't believe their diet is lacking. My Wyandonette more so than ,my RHR. They are cooped overnight , but free roaming most afternoons and all weekend. My little Lucy is trying to tunnel out!. I'm going to start rotating their areas so my poor grass can catch a break!

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens dig and scratch. It's part of their nature.

 

[Chullicken]

You're learning what we all have learned with chickens, if it means something to you...fence it off. Those little fluffy butts will dig, scratch, peck and trample all the delicate things you love around the yard~

 

[ValerieJ]

Chickens dig and scratch. It's part of their nature.

This ^^ is what I think too. BTW, you said you are feeding all flock, which probably does provide enough protein. Does the bad say how much? Since they are laying now, are you giving them oyster shell on the side? They will need that to produce good shells.