Hardiest grass for a run?

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I'm going to be expanding my run and putting some plants in it because the chickens won't be able to free-range as much, but I don't know what kind of grass to put in the run. I put one type of grass in last summer and it was trampled to death within a week. What kind do you guys suggest?

 

[Baymen Moe]

A variety called none. Sorry , you will most likely never be able to grow grass in a single chicken run.

 

[Katy]

I agree....they'll destroy it no matter what kind you've got.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Darn. I'll just hand some greens for them to eat, then.

They won't be able to forage, but at least I'll make sure they have a healthy diet.

 

[Lesa]

Dirt/mud- depending on the season! Someone had a recent post of planting grass sections and covering it with wire... But, mostly you are not going to have a living thing in your run. Sorry!

 

[mestaske]

I would guess buffalo grass.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Sorry but I just had quite a chuckle over that! Unless your run is HUGE, as in an acre, maybe more? We have a big run and bermuda grass which is pretty darn tough and it did last thru the first summer the chickens were on it. Ever since then, bare dirt. Never a blade of green to be seen in there ever again.

One thing some people do who are determined to have grassy runs is rotational grazing. Divide the run so part of it gets a rest while the chickens are on the other part.

 

[booker81]

Agree on "none".

However, my neighbors and I garden, and garden big. We also rather hand weed than use killer, so the chickens get all of it. They probably get 1-2 wheelbarrows a week. Come summer and fall, they also get the leftover fruit and veg from both me and the neighbors. We just dump a big pile in the middle of the run, and let the chickens dig and have all sorts of fun.

 

[farmer_lew]

Quote:
Astroturf!

 

[BellevueOmlet]

Dirt Grass. I used to plant things in my coop but I think it took me longer for me to plant than for them to destroy.