Lawn Destroyers!!

[rhody josephine]

We have 11 hens that we have had for about 1 1/2 years. We have always let them free range from about 4:00 PM until dark with no problem. This past week they have all decided to destroy my lawn. I mean tear the crap out of it in large areas. Not just one naughty girl, but all of them! Like it's their job or something! They used to occasionally dig on the edges of the yard, we have about an acre and a half for them to roam and the rest is surrounded by woodland. Now all of a sudden, this! My husband insists they stay in the run now, no more free range girls...a couple are also molting..could that have any relation to this behaviour?

 

[sourland]

There may be some sort of insect or grub that they have discovered in your lawn - and are actively hunting and eating.

 

[CheshireChick01]

I have 6 hens in my backyard and they do the same when I let them on my grass, they scratch and scuff around but they rip up the grass as they do it. There just looking for food as they do the same when there in the enclosure