Grass in the run area **(PICS)**

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
I agree ~~ Instead of putting down new sod each spring, just take that money and build an equal size pen (if possible) and rotate the chicken every month or so. This way both pens stay lush and green year round and you don't have to keep purchasing new sod each year. It's worth a try.

My chickens have a 16X32 run (that has no grass left) and they have my whole back yard fenced in that they free range in. Chickens like to eat grass, it may not just be the poo that is to hot. It could be them eating all that green bufet below their feet

 

[Small Town Girl]

I keep planters on the OUTSIDE of the run with grass seed in them specifically for the girls. When one of the planters gets nice and plush, place it in the run.

I think this is a brilliant idea. It doesn't do much for the looks of your run, but it will keep your chickens happy. I was thinking about growing mixed greens and spinach in those plastic window boxes for the chickens next year. I wonder how long it would take 4 chickens to decimate a 3ft. planter of lettuce???​

 

[mom2jedi]

Quote:
This is a great thread. I wondered the same thing about the new fake grass. I was considering it for our kids and dog once we buy our house. I'm glad you posted about it shedding, I wondered if it would be tough enough for chickens. I would think they'd be so determined to get the "grass" they'd rip it off the netting it's woven into.

Sounds like unless you can rotate your run (and for us urban/suburban people that's not possible sometimes) it's going to be eventually bare. If however, you can re-sod your run every year for only $30 that sounds like it might work.

Maybe you could split the difference, what about splitting your run in half and sodding one side for them to use for six months then doing the other side and letting the first side rest for six months? That way, the soil has a chance to rest from the poo. You could still sod both sides at the same time just keep the girls out of one side till they strip the first side. (That side won't look very pretty while it's recovering though.)

 

[gotchooks?]

I wonder how long it would take 4 chickens to decimate a 3ft. planter of lettuce???

It takes 8 chickens less than 2 hours...

 

[Cetawin]

I think field trips are great. My SLW goes to the coffee shop with me in the van and has fun visiting friends' yards with me. Friends do not seem to mind as they like Speckles and her fertilizer

 

[kinnip]

Nice coop and run. My difficulty has been with moss. I had tons of it in the run (there's a large shade tree). They've eaten almost all of it. What hasn't been eaten, has been scratched to a pulp. I've tried giving them grass and weed clippings, but they won't eat them unless I'm holding them, so they can take the tiniest little nibble and maybe have a swipe at my fingers. No one will ever accuse me of neglecting my spoiled poopumps.

I'm planning to start a few large flats of grass. When they finish with one, I'll send in another. Then I can use the poopoo soil for compost.

 

[walkswithdog]

Barring making another area to rotate them to, or fencing separating off into two or three sections what you have... Already suggested.

Building raised wire panel sections you can move might work. If the wire is 3-4 inches off the ground.

Lay down seed and a BUNCH of straw, place panels over it. Water and regrow that area. When it's established, set up to do another area. The raised wire will keep them off the seeds and new growth, the straw will protect it enough to let it grow out again.

It wouldn't be perfect (stripes where the wood rests) but you could rehabilitate sections at a time that way, without too much trouble. Hardwire and scrap wood are pretty cheap.

Even if it's just interim help to get you to the next sodding it might help.

 

[gotchooks?]

Quote:
That's a great idea! I'm gonna give it a go...I can probably make a couple of 5X5 panels out of 2x4's and staple wire mesh across the top and seed the area underneath. Good thinking!!!

It sure would get me through the season because the grass looked great until about mid August. I think I may experiment a little next year and scatter grass seed from the start to see if it makes any difference.

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[JennsPeeps]

I keep planters on the OUTSIDE of the run with grass seed in them specifically for the girls. When one of the planters gets nice and plush, place it in the run. Course, the girls wipe it out in short order. I try to make sure to rotate them so the girls always have nice green grass.

Great idea! I've got some planters that are no longer yard-worthy, but they'd be great for chickens!

I've also considered picking up a couple of pieces of sod for my run to let the girls have something to pick at when I'm at work. The run was already dirt when we built it (dry area in a side yard - no grass). There was a lowly fern in there that I cut down to build the run. They chickens discovered it in short order and cleaned it of the fresh little fronds. Poor thing! Oh well.​

 

[babalubird]

Very well done. Really attractive.