Pecked clean!

[Our Roost]

I have went from green grass to bare soil almost before our eyes since introducing my hens to the fenced run area. I now have a fenced and roofed florida room attached to the coop to pen the birds for shelter and for short periods when we are away. I believe they will prefer this enclosed run area during the winter months. The idea of planting winter rye is a great suggestion for me as I live in Michigan. Rye grass is a good starter for other grass seed and helps it germinate quicker as the rye grass dies out. I know this from personal experience. I will mix in some other healthy grass seed that should germinate before spring if I am lucky. Keeping the birds primarily in the florida room over the winter will help to get a new growth of green going for me. Once the snow flys I will let them have the use of both. Dont want them to get cabin fever!! I have been giving my hens a cabbage to peck at while they are in season. One whole cabbage will get devoured in a days time! I have lost 2 birds to predators and have backed off on the idea of free ranging for now. We just purchased an australian sheperd puppy and hope he will adapt to watching over the flock. Thanks for the tips on winter rye.

 

[ellie32526]

You might consider making some grazing frames, at least I think that's what they are called. It is just a rectangle of any size you choose with hardware cloth or some other type of small wire that the grass can grow through but the chickens can't scratch the ground and unearth the plants. They can still scratch areas around the frames but the frames protect those areas so you aren't totally bare. It gives the young plants time to grow without being disturbed and gives the chickens greens to eat (what grows through the wire). You can pretty much plant any kind of plants you want your chickens to eat. I am going to do that and then rotate the frames after the greens get established and throw down some different seeds. Hope that helps. I think I say it on You Tube but not sure.