fertilizing grass in a chicken yard

[Wyo Chick]

Is it safe to fertilize grass in a chicken yard?

 

[Wifezilla]

Uhhh...the chickens should fertilize the grass plenty on their own!

 

[Wyo Chick]

It's large lot. They seem to poop more at night in their house. Maybe I need to take the poop and spread it over the lot as much as I can!

 

[fargosmom]

I think you need to let large amounts of droppings age before you use them or they'll burn your lawn/plants. You might be better off composting the droppings you collect. The amount the chickens deposit on the grass by themselves is probably sufficient, provided that it's also getting watered enough to dilute the poo, and if you leave the clippings on the grass when you mow that's a good, much milder fertilizer.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

If it is granular fertilizer I'd be very cautious. Chickens aren't known for their ability to sort good pellets from bad ones (ask the people that have seen chickens attack and eat up styrofoam).

It is especially a problem if the chickens see you spreading it because they will surely think it is a treat you are setting out for them.

 

[Wifezilla]

Oh! You can get the spray kind. You attach the bottle of liquid to the hose and spray it over the yard. That should keep the chickens from eating it....but I don't know about the chemicals.

 

[Katy]

There's actually someone who has grass left in their chicken area???!!!

 

[hinkjc]

I didn't know grass grew in chicken yards either, unless you have a mobile coop. lol I wouldn't risk fertilizing with any chemicals.

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:

My husband thinks we are growing poo instead of grass!

 

[crazyhen]

The nitrogen in the fertilizer is not good for the chicks, Just some aged compost watered in well might work. Jean