My lawn vs the chickens

[SurprisingWoman]

We are having our first 20'ish weeks with chicks and they are having a field day (pun unintended) in the garden.

This year my DH doesn't mind so much. It was late in the season when they got hungry. The tomatoes got ripe but the chicks started eating mice so it was all good.

Next year will not be pretty. I am already looking at fencing options for the garden.

The new spinach and lettuce will not be allowed to be consumed. I am concerned about the height of the fence we will need. DH seems to think the chickens will "get" they are not allowed in the garden with a minimal fence.

Bwahahahahahahaha

Good thing we love our chicks.

 

[MamaMia72]

It's funny, but I had originally considered a tractor, but then the coop I ended up with and the lay out of my yard didn't really lend to it. My husband and I took a bunch of heavy gauge wire fencing and put together a small run, so to speak, for when they were really little and I was afraid they might get mowed over (not literally...hahaha, since we're talking lawn...by the kids and dogs). I have been using this now in reverse so that maybe I can allow my lawn time to recover. I am afraid with it being late in the growing season and the fact that it is pretty far gone, that I am not going to luck out. Oh well, at least they are all earning their keep and giving me beautiful eggs...not too bad of a trade off.

Thanks again for everyone's ideas and input!

 

[RendonRoo]

Haven't gotten around to doing this but it sounds good. Make a rectangle frame out of scrap wood. 2x4's standing on edge. Cover with 1/4" hardware cloth and put it in the run. Sprinkle with grass seed and watch it grow. When the grass grows thru the wire the chickens can eat it but not dig it up. Don't make it so big that the chickens will bend the wire down. Good Luck

 

[MamaMia72]

Hey that is a great idea and certainly not as ugly as the wire mess I made for their "run" when they were babies. You should see my crazy set up right now...I am sure my neighbors are dying (either of laughter or horror)! I have been having trouble with one flying over the fence so I have tried birthday ribbon between some wooden steaks that are stuck into the wire fence. Between this and my crazy wire box I move around to try and save my grass it looks totally silly, but is working so hopefully I can take it down the ribbons when she looses interest and I think I will give up on the lawn till spring. Thanks for the great idea! I would love to hear if anyone else has tried this.

 

[Hen_House_Rocks!]

Our chickens love clover the best. They nibble it down and it comes right back! Of course it would be best to let them have at the area for a week, then give it a week of rest by fencing htem out for a bit.