Hardware cloth to protect grass in chicken runs

[cicene mete]

I know that some people have tried various methods of protecting grass in chicken runs. Specifically, I have heard of people using hardware cloth on the ground. Does this work? Has anyone tried it? My concerns would be that the chickens would tear up the ground anyway, or worse, that they would tear up their feet. We are expanding our pen, and like a lot of people, I'm trying to avoid a gigantic patch of mud.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Nothing will protect grass in a run, unless the "run" is so HUGE they just cant eat it all

 

[Tigerfeet]

I'd like to put hardware cloth for the floor of a tractor during the summer, but I'd worry it would hurt the chickens' feet. I'd not be worried about the grass in mine because they'll be moved regularly, but their poor feetsies! Is this an issue?

 

[Chirpy]

It is never good to have chickens walking on any kind of wire... it will hurt their feet.

Putting wire over grass would be especially bad because the chickens would try to scratch through it and be even more likely to damage their feet.

Grass cannot be saved around chickens - unless the chickens don't have access to it.

 

[patandchickens]

Since they can peck greens out of a suet cage Real Well, I cannot imagine they would not be able to peck grass through hardwarecloth. It would have to be pressurewashed daily to wash the poo thru (cuz it isn't going to fall through such small mesh)

And worst of all, to my way of thinking, it would prevent the chickens from scratching around or digging dusting holes. That's what chickens DO, it's what they're made for, it's what they love, I just can't see taking such a basic activity away from them.

Avoid a gigantic patch of mud by ensuring excellent drainage and no water running into the run from elsewhere, and then once it's bare, WHEN THE GROUND IS BONE DRY (not when it's already muddy) put in some sand or gravel, or if you really prefer you can use something organic but you'll have to rake it out and replace it before it starts to decompose into muck. You can still chuck green things in for chickens to eat, such as garden weedings.

JMO,

Pat

 

[scooter147]

Bad idea for all the above mentioned reason.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I wouldn't want to put hardware cloth down on the ground or cover an entire run floor with it, but you might get some other ideas on this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=127143