Grasses in run or small "free range" area

[seashelley]

I want to plant grasses that are sturdy and can hold up to chicken/duck 'abuse' to put under a movable run. I just don't know what grasses...or even other plants...I can plant that are safe and durable. They would be able to reach maturity before I moved the run onto them. Thanks so much! Shelley

 

[tellynpeep]

Variety is the spice of life... especially for chickens! Really... any grass, weeds, bugs they can get. They are not picky. But if you leave them in a small area for any amount of time, they will destroy it and turn it into a desert. How often do you plan to move them?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Chickens and ducks don't naturally feed in tall grass.
They prefer young tender plants or seeds

Unless you have a large area to work with, not much will "reach maturity" anyway, since most of the time it takes months from planting to seeding

 

[WoodlandWoman]

When I use a tractor, I find it works best to move it every day or at least every two days. That way, they have fresh green food and don't do too much damage to the plants.

It depends a little on the square footage per chicken and how the weather is effecting the growth rate of the plants. Plants aren't as resilient in hot, dry weather. In general, there isn't a lot of extra room in tractors that need to be light enough to move. So, most need to be moved often. There is nothing that will hold up to chickens long term if they aren't moved often enough. Most things you would plant will hold up fine, if you are moving them around on it.

Chickens even like lawn grass. They also like grasses grown from wheat or oats. Some clover is good and white clover will stay small and unobtrusive. They love greens of all kinds. There has been a lot of discussion over in the feeding section on what to plant in pastures for chickens. You should check it out.

 

[seashelley]

I plan on a large enough area to be able to move them pretty regularly. The grasses will not necessarily be thick, or tall, just so they will have an opportunity to "forage" at least a bit. And right now the lot is a bit of a desert. I wanted to improve it for multiple reasons and thought this would be a good opportunity to provide some areas of foraging. I just don't know what more "durable " grasses would be. I really appreciate all your input!

 

[xyresicchick]

i have a yard full of clover.

clover seeds are much cheaper than grass seed because they cover more space and spread quicker they also provide a good shady habitat for beneficial insects that chickens can eat. i know this grass alternative is durable to a 30 lb dog running around like a maniac all day, because that is what happens on mine!

last year i planted 2 lbs of red and white clover... i just tossed handfulls of it all around my yard and it spread everywhere. it's sprouting up everywhere again this year.

I do not know how hardy this is to chickens yet, but i am planning on fencing them off to new areas daily anyways so that they do not over-graze any specific area. i just got 5 more Lbs of white clover to do the sides around the yard that i didnt plant clover, and to do my front lawn since they are so easy care and do not need mowing, but can put up with it if i feel like it.

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=7967&SEName=new-zealand-white-clover

codes for discounts for johnnys seeds are here
http://www.retailmenot.com/view/johnnyseeds.com

i've had success with several codes from that site. i order from johnnys a lot and they have great germination rates and ship the seeds very safely.

5 LBS is MORE than enough for my 2500 square foot backyard and 1000 square foot front yard. like i said last year i planted only 2. and it was very lush.

sowing rates are 1/4 lb. per 1,000 sq.ft. (10 lb./acre)

 

[Crabella]

Do some research on grasses that have rhizomes . This means that they will spread underground much faster. The seed may take a little longer to establish, but may work better for you in the long run. Also I have been told that these types of grasses tend to be more drought tolerant... less water Yeah!

Talk to your local county extension agent for suggestions on grasses that grow well in your area with minimal water and tough conditions…. Call it a high traffic area or pasture grass. What grows well in the Pacific NW will not necessarily do well in the deep South. The type of grass that is in the mix will depend on the area of the country you are in. Lawn grasses such as blue grass tend to require more water. You will want a grass that is a blend of annual and perennial grasses. For example:
Rye grasses are commonly mixed with other types of grass seed. Rye grass comes in two types, an annual and perennial. The annual is added because it sprouts quickly, for quick green coverage giving the perennial grass types a chance to establish themselves. The annual grass dies out unless given a chance to self sow, but that is why it is usually mixed with the perennial type grasses. If the seed you buy does not have an annual grass such as rye, you can buy it seperately and add it to the mix yourself.

Good luck

 

[seashelley]

Woodland Woman, thank you so much for that information! I will go to that thread ASAP, as well! I am new to this forum so I am still learning about it.

 

[seashelley]

Crabella, thanks for the lesson on seeds. I didn't think of any of that and didn't know I should, lol. That's how little I know about it!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

What ever tough, traffic resistant turf (lawn) grass that grows well in your area is what you should use. Your local cooperative extension agent (county agent) should be able to tell you that.

The key is going to be moving the pen often enough that the birds cannot do irreparable damage to the turf, watering when it's droughty, and keeping it cut often enough that the grass is young and tender.

.....Alan.