Growing Grass in the Run

[jthornton]

Not exactly, I just made it 2' x 4' to fit the hardware cloth and the 2x4.

JT

 

[6PeckinChickens]

LOVE the grazing frames!! My girls have grass in their coop, they have worn it down pretty good, but there is still quite a bit left! I have 6 chickens in a 30X40 Prison Yard. I am going to make them a "salad bar" come spring, so I will be making some grazing frames this winter!

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Any issues with the chickens' toenails getting caught on the wire?
I am thinking of using plastic underbed storage boxes as planters, seeding them with grass seed, and rotating them into the run so the girls can have some grass to pick at and another place to have some fun.
Those "grass boxes" seem like a good idea and I guess they work but, being me, I have visions of torn hen toenails.

 

[aart]

Any issues with the chickens' toenails getting caught on the wire?

It's a possibility,
I have had a couple toe/nail injuries that probably came from HC encounters.
I really think a larger mesh with 14ga wire is the way to go for grazing frames,
as it's stronger and smoother(way fewer little 'sharps' than on 1/2 HC).
The 1x2 I used was great, 1x1 might be even better.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Any issues with the chickens' toenails getting caught on the wire?
I am thinking of using plastic underbed storage boxes as planters, seeding them with grass seed, and rotating them into the run so the girls can have some grass to pick at and another place to have some fun.
Those "grass boxes" seem like a good idea and I guess they work but, being me, I have visions of torn hen toenails.

You could use chicken wire or welded wire instead.

 

[aart]

You could use chicken wire

Not strong enough for them to stand on...would sag.

 

[jthornton]

n...would sag.

I noticed the one I made is sagging a bit where they spend most of the time. I used a slap stapler to staple the hardware cloth down then covered that with the strips. Next one I build I'll small fence staples carefully placed to keep the cloth tight.

JT

 

[Krazyquilts]

Impossible you say, the chickens will eat it before it grows.

Not if you put a grass sized greenhouse over it.

I was messing around trying to keep moisture in some new grass I was growing on a tray and put an old tubby over the grass... when I moved it to the chicken yard I just put the cover back over it. Now I have some more areas started right in the chicken yard. Picked up some low tubbies from wally to start some new grass.

JT

What a great idea, especially for growing some fresh grass in the winter. As soon as I can find some clear totes, I'm going to give this a try.

 

[aart]

What a great idea, especially for growing some fresh grass in the winter. As soon as I can find some clear totes, I'm going to give this a try.

Not sure tote will warm soil enough to sprout in winter....might have to grow it inside.

 

[jthornton]

@aart,
What are you growing the grass in? Just water or is there something else in with the seeds?

That does look good enough to eat!

JT