Growing Grass in the Run

[Elyrian1]

Not just run size, but let me point out that rain, drought, altitude, and grass type are going to have an impact on whether your run still has grass over time or not. I don't have grass as we might envision a grassy yard, well cut, green, and trim. More like sparse, dry prairie grass and weeds. Mostly weeds. That stuff couldn't grow fast enough to keep up with the girls despite having a larger area for them to forage during the weekend. We only let them run loose in the side yard when we're home to keep an eye on things.

So JackE in Maryland grows a different grass variety than jthornton in Missouri. This is a pretty safe assumption. And I bet you guys have different grass than I do. It is also a fairly safe assumption that these different varieties of grass grow at varying rates under each individual's conditions.

 

[aart]

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

I like it!

Could definitely work with grazing frames.

http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/


1/2" hardware cloth for grass-like leaved plants(sod and grains)
1 x 2" fencing for larger leaved plants.
When fresh planting seed I stack a second frame on top until roots are established or they pull the whole plant out.

I like the one at the top best and am converting the others over.
Ripped a half inch off the 2x4's and used it to cover mesh edges to avoid cut feet and subsequent infection (bumblefoot).

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Be careful my freind
A title like your thread title may cause problems with the police!

Not in California or Colorado!

G

 

[jthornton]

I like it!

Could definitely work with grazing frames.

http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/


1/2" hardware cloth for grass-like leaved plants(sod and grains)
1 x 2" fencing for larger leaved plants.
When fresh planting seed I stack a second frame on top until roots are established or they pull the whole plant out.

I like the one at the top best and am converting the others over.
Ripped a half inch off the 2x4's and used it to cover mesh edges to avoid cut feet and subsequent infection (bumblefoot).

Is the top one made of pressure treated 2x4? I also like the one with the board covering the edge of the mesh the best. I gotta build one before taking the greenhouse off the first patch I started.

JT

 

[aart]

Is the top one made of pressure treated 2x4? I also like the one with the board covering the edge of the mesh the best.

Just think that's very old lumber, was under the shed for 20 years, hard as rock.

 

[JMotuzick]

Love the ideas in this thread! Just tossed some rye sead out in the outer run this week. I was planing on keeping them confined to the small 12x20 run but they will be out in the 25x50 run again this weekend!

 

[JMotuzick]

Phase one! Hopefully it will take root in the cool temps 30’s to 60’s we are having this week...

 

[jthornton]

Just built a grass box and the chickens took right to it. I really like aart's design and found some slats with roundy edges on one side for the hardware cloth edge covers.

JT

 

[RodNTN]

Great idea!

 

[aart]

Just built a grass box and the chickens took right to it. I really like aart's design and found some slats with roundy edges on one side for the hardware cloth edge covers.

JT

Does it fit these?