New grass??

[DarleneE]

Can someone here help me please?? I have two hens. They have an enclosed pen like area where they free range in during the day. However, that area is getting pretty "bald" on grass now as they've pecked and eaten a good part of it. I'm wanting to put down some squares of grass but I'm understanding that those squares are all treated with pesticides that could harm or even kill my girls..?? Does anyone have any better ideas or know WHAT I can do?? Moving it to another area isn't really much of an option as we have very little grassy areas in our backyard.. the pool and tons of landscaping take up pretty much of it!! Any ideas will be SO greatly appreciated!!

 

[K9Dave]

Can someone here help me please?? I have two hens. They have an enclosed pen like area where they free range in during the day. However, that area is getting pretty "bald" on grass now as they've pecked and eaten a good part of it. I'm wanting to put down some squares of grass but I'm understanding that those squares are all treated with pesticides that could harm or even kill my girls..?? Does anyone have any better ideas or know WHAT I can do?? Moving it to another area isn't really much of an option as we have very little grassy areas in our backyard.. the pool and tons of landscaping take up pretty much of it!! Any ideas will be SO greatly appreciated!!

You'll never have grass in their run is gonna be the answer I think. They are little destructive things. I want to grow grass just in the yard and free range occasionally. The yard already has so e leftover bermuda but even at an every other day free range, they destroy it.

 

[jeepguy982001]

like the other poster said it won't grow back. only way is to rotate them in dif areas. Or build a grazing frame so they can't scratch up the roots of the grass.

 

[calichicken]

Can someone here help me please?? I have two hens. They have an enclosed pen like area where they free range in during the day. However, that area is getting pretty "bald" on grass now as they've pecked and eaten a good part of it. I'm wanting to put down some squares of grass but I'm understanding that those squares are all treated with pesticides that could harm or even kill my girls..?? Does anyone have any better ideas or know WHAT I can do?? Moving it to another area isn't really much of an option as we have very little grassy areas in our backyard.. the pool and tons of landscaping take up pretty much of it!! Any ideas will be SO greatly appreciated!!

You can put a grazing grid over the grassy area...its just a wood box with grid wire (I'm sure there is a REAL handyman name for this wire..LOL) over it. Your hens can stand on top of it and pluck at the grass, but can't actually scratch at it because the box is like a little house that protects it. Added bonus...they love to hop on and off of it for fun

 

[calichicken]

like the other poster said it won't grow back. only way is to rotate them in dif areas. Or build a grazing frame so they can't scratch up the roots of the grass.

LOL....jeepguy982001...had the same thought!!!!

 

[K9Dave]

like the other poster said it won't grow back. only way is to rotate them in dif areas. Or build a grazing frame so they can't scratch up the roots of the grass. 

Grazing frame is a great idea. You can use a pallet and it will be very cheap. Only the screen will cost you and maybe u-nails.

 

[DarleneE]

Thank you for the GREAT idea. I will present it to my husband!!

 

[aart]

This is where I first saw the idea of grazing frames http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/ lots if good info there, read the comments section too.

I've built a couple with 2x4's and 1/2" hardware cloth planted with barley and oats underneath, they keep the tips trimmed off every morning, but you can plant any kind of plant with skinny grass like leaves.

Make sure any sharp edges of the wire are smoothed out or covered.

I'm going to try out some with 1x2 cage wire and plant other broader leaved plants under them.

 

[DarleneE]

Thank you SO much for the info!!

 

[K9Dave]

This is where I first saw the idea of grazing frames http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/ lots if good info there, read the comments section too.

I've built a couple with 2x4's and 1/2" hardware cloth planted with barley and oats underneath, they keep the tips trimmed off every morning, but you can plant any kind of plant with skinny grass like leaves.

Make sure any sharp edges of the wire are smoothed out or covered.

I'm going to try out some with 1x2 cage wire and plant other broader leaved plants under them.

Let us know how that goes please. It'll be interesting to know if it works. I have a ton of steel and may build some frames and try it.