Planting grass/plants inside run...

Silkiekeeper - I probably should, but don't. They don't seem all that interested in rye grass seed. And I rake the area and try to lightly cover the seed with soil.

I also didn't mention the thompson grapes planted around the outside. They grow like weeds, and the chickens absolutely love the leaves AND the grapes.

That's awesome that you do that. You have some spoiled birds!
 
We actually have to go out and mow our chicken run from time to time. The ground is covered with what I would call forest plants, some sort of wide leaf plant, some weeds, and a large area of grass. Mind you I have about 4000 SF for 12 chickens (only 9 atm) and that is a big factor. My suggestion would be to try an "invasive" plant. Whatever this forest ground cover is, I have to fight it everywhere else in my yard. Is there something in your area that you fight to keep out of your grass and gardens? If so, plant that, assuming it is safe for your chickens.

My chickens don't eat much grass or greenery, but having it in there provides a habitat for bugs and worms, and they love those.:sick
 
They must be. It's the only thing I don't seem to have growing out there, so since I fight them elsewhere, I think perhaps the chickens do eat that. So now you can carefully remove your dandelions and replant them. What an odd thing, right?:clap And the good news is, they run their roots to China, so no matter how much the chickens eat them and dig at them, they will grow back. :lau
 
I try to fight the good fight. I always have a bag of rye grass seed. I sprinkle some new seed around every two weeks, and water every day. I try VERY hard to keep grass in the pens, sometimes I think I just don't learn the lesson... This doesn't look too bad as the pen had a couple month break before getting a new set of chicks. Grass is looking worse by the day... but never completely dies out. Looks better in winter (I'm in CA - desert-ish in summer)
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nice. i like your set up.
 
I have also seen grow cages in other people's posts here. You might be able to search for that. Essentially they make little cages that are covered and move them around. So you could seed an area, put the cage over it and when it's grown in, move the cage to another area to seed. You could do a few of these. I would try that, if it were me.:caf
 
What I find problematic with grass is that it takes a while to grow. Once it's grown up and covered with something so they don't uproot it, it'll be everlasting though.
Grains sprout and grow fairly quickly. Within a week it's reached a reasonable eating size. Their root system isn't very heavy so they'll most likely be pulled up through the chicken wire, but boy are the hens gonna have fun while doing it!
 
It’s finished. Now just waiting for the grass to grow.
 

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