Grass/Weeds Control BEFORE chickens

[SobbaChickens]

Try and stay with me as I explain this without pictures

As soon as I find my phone I'll upload some if needed. So I'm working on my area where the chicken coop and run will go. Right now there are 2 sides that consist of cattle panel with chicken wire on the bottom 2ish ft. The weeds and grass are wrapped so tightly that it's almost impossible to completely clear it away by hand. And these fences are part of the dog pen so I can't just take all the chicken wire down until I'm ready to do the hardware cloth and I can't do the hardware cloth until I get the grass and weeds dealt with, vicious circle

.

Here's the question:

What can I use to help kill the weeds/grass so I can get the fences clear?

It will probably be weeks before the chickens are on this area. I didn't want to use weed control but now that it's become clear to me how bad the area is I'm rethinking my decision. I'm not wasting my time on vinegar, I've done it before and it was pointless and a waste of vinegar. I just don't want to poison my chicks. Can I use chemicals as long as they won't be in the area for awhile?

 

[Chick Charm]

Yes you can use a weed killer. If you are a few weeks out that will give it a couple of days to kill the weeds. Then you will have over a week to clear it all out. Your chickens will be alright. You can also burn if that is acceptable.

 

[Joz]

Propane weed torch from Harbor Freight?

 

[SobbaChickens]

I wish burning was a choice but these fences run in between and connect to my garage and very close to the shed

That would be bad!

Thanks for the replies, I'll rest easy knowing I'm not going to harm my girls. Now if only this 30mph would stop!

 

[aart]

Is it a wooden fence? Roundup will kill them but burning is the fastest way to get down to the ground, might have to weedwack the dead stuff if you can't burn.

I used to roundup then burn with a weed torch, would wet the grass a foot or so from the wire fencing on both sides so the thatch in the lawn wouldn't catch and spread(don't ask how I know that).

 

[SobbaChickens]

I used to roundup then burn with a weed torch, would wet the grass a foot or so from the wire fencing on both sides so the thatch in the lawn wouldn't catch and spread(don't ask how I know that).

Uhoh!

I won't ask

No it's cattle panel. I used roundup and have been able to pull it out by hand. Still don't have it completely clear but it's coming along easier now than before!

 

[suttonhollerchk]

Round up and two weeks it'll be clean