ideas for a “green” run

[PamW]

I recently read about putting hardware cloth under mulch. Our chickens destroyed our edging by scratching all the mulch away and making dust baths. But if we had something there to prevent all the digging then I'd imagine that would have moved on. We will be trying that this year. In these mulched areas are our fruit trees and bushes. They have survived but the area looks awful. Lol
I wonder if you can edge areas around the plants and use a barrier to keep them from the roots and give them a chance to establish enough to survive some chicken pecking? I'm still trying to figure all this out myself though lol

We put chicken wire around the base of a shrub similar to what we do to keep the deer away from young saplings. It worked great and eventually we were able to remove the wire and trim the red tip photinia to create a small shady area.

 

[Krugerrand]

You may want to consider chicken tunnels. A google image search can give you ideas. BYC has threads on them as well.

Be aware:
1) They can be points of entry for predators.
2) If you have concerns about avian flu .... they would increase risk - but no more than free-ranging anyway.

 

[bhawk-23]

You may want to consider chicken tunnels. A google image search can give you ideas. BYC has threads on them as well.

Be aware:
1) They can be points of entry for predators.
2) If you have concerns about avian flu .... they would increase risk - but no more than free-ranging anyway.

I've seen those tunnels and they are really awesome! But I want comfortable access to all areas for inspections and just incase I need to retrieve a girl. There are some awesome Pinterest pictures! But......most my Pinterest attempts are just awesome failures

Avian flu has made it's way close to me so I am purchasing umbrellas to set throughout the uncover part of their run. I will not keep them locked up, but I won't free range now either. I'll place the umbrellas under the trees that overhang the run to hopefully prevent bird droppings and interactions as best I can. Landscaping will have to come later for now.

 

[AGeese]

It's next to impossible to stop wild birds from coming around here, is it not anywhere? Main thing I do is clear the brush that attracts birds and knock down nests off my house.

I'm not cooping them in all day because the factories choose to cull by the millions over a test result.

 

[bhawk-23]

It's next to impossible to stop wild birds from coming around here, is it not anywhere? Main thing I do is clear the brush that attracts birds and knock down nests off my house.

I'm not cooping them in all day because the factories choose to cull by the millions over a test result.

When not free ranging they are in a nearly 600 SQ ft fenced in run with a large dust bathing area and huge compost pile to dig in. But let's face it, they still stare at me through the fence and I give in and let them out. Poor girls, they have it so rough.