Planting grass for free range hens

[Pam Goodman]

so like everyone told me, my backyard is dessimated. Worth it but I’m gonna have a muddy mess if I don’t plant something where my grass once was. Any ideas of seeding? Will I have to keep hens cooped for seeding and growth? Or is there some type of hen proof grass???
Pam

 

[sunflour]

Sorry, I don't think there is any grass that is hen proof..

 

[N F C]

Maybe someone else will come along with a better answer, but I'd recommend confining the chickens to a fenced in run and only seeding the non-chicken part.

If you seed the backyard and don't have the chickens confined, I think they'll enjoy the tender new grass shoots you just planted for them

 

[cholland]

You have to keep them off until the grass gets established. I use two pens and switch them back and forth to give things a chance to grow.

You can also build 2x4 frames then cover with hardware cloth. Set them down and seed inside. The grass will grow through for the chickens but they can't scratch it up. Make a few frames and move them around occasionally.

You will always have bare spots and need them for dust baths.

 

[Pam Goodman]

Thanks so much. I like the idea of the frames. Also I am considering dwarf citrus trees along the walkway to hide the muddy mess behind them. Hens stay away from citrus it seems.
If I try to do seeding for the hens pleasure, what do they like the best? I might as well spoil them a little.

 

[cholland]

Local feed store might have a pasture mix. Rye grass, milo, flax, most grains. They will keep it mowed down. Clover is good, but can grow kinda short.
In the Feeds forum there are a couple of threads on pasture mix for chickens.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
What are your goals?
To restore a turf grass lawn?
Or just reduce the mud?

Pics of area would help....
...and info about your flock.

Knowing your location would really help.
you can put it in your profile, then it always there!

 

[lazy gardener]

Pam, are you looking to seed a chicken run, or a decimated lawn? If the former, might I suggest a deep litter run for your chook's dining pleasure! If your lawn, I suggest that you buy what ever mix is recommended for your area. When you buy the seed, be sure to let the sales person know that you need a turf that will stand up to a lot of traffic. In your DL run, you may want to make some grow frames. On your lawn, you will need to limit the bird's access to it if you want a nice lawn. You will certainly need to block them out of the newly seeded area b/c they will eat all the seed before it has a chance to sprout. Even then... your lawn may suddenly sprout deep craters where they have been able to get beak and claw through the turf to create their dust bowl craters.