Planting grass seed in the new run...

[VictoriaTemple]

I have never planted grass seed before, and I have no existing lawn, just a thick shaggy carpet of seasonal weeds that, thankfully, my feather babies find very appetizing. I bought Scott's Turfbuilder Dense Shade Mix (fescue of various heights) back in spring, but due to illness and bad weather could not plant it. I want to plant it in the new chicken yard (which is fairly bare from construction damage) while waiting for the fence to be installed. How long should I wait for it to establish a root system before introducing the chickens to their new salad bar? Like I said, it's all fescue, which I understand is an aggressive rooter. The soil is Ultisol (dense red clay). Thank you!

 

[so lucky]

Depending on how many chickens will be on it, and how big an area you have, there probably is a slim chance your grass will survive the chickens, even if you give the grass a head start. Of course, 4 chickens in a 20 by 50 run wouldn't be too hard on grass, but in average situations--say 10 chickens in a 12 by 12 run, even well established grass won't survive more than a couple weeks.
It's just one of those facts that we all have to accept. Then we look for some thing to put in the run as mulch.

 

[DobieLover]

I have never planted grass seed before, and I have no existing lawn, just a thick shaggy carpet of seasonal weeds that, thankfully, my feather babies find very appetizing. I bought Scott's Turfbuilder Dense Shade Mix (fescue of various heights) back in spring, but due to illness and bad weather could not plant it. I want to plant it in the new chicken yard (which is fairly bare from construction damage) while waiting for the fence to be installed. How long should I wait for it to establish a root system before introducing the chickens to their new salad bar? Like I said, it's all fescue, which I understand is an aggressive rooter. The soil is Ultisol (dense red clay). Thank you!

How large is this run? How many chickens do you have?
If it is a run/pen with less than 300-400 sq ft per bird, don't bother seeding it. They will have it a desolate waste land in less than a month. Just put down a thick layer of wood chips for run litter.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Them chickens will find the seeds.
Been there done that. $50 gone

 

[VictoriaTemple]

17 chickens, 700 square feet. I don't expect a lawn, I bought the grass to be early spring fodder until the weeds grow up. I can plant it in the front yard and hand pick if necessary, but I don't have a lawn mower. All I really need to survive are enough tufts to keep spreading roots.

 

[Folly's place]

Rather than grass, how about a food plot/ forage or seed mix as offered by Pheasants Forever? Mixed plants are best!
Mary

 

[Alaskan]

All you need is a growing frame.

They work great... think a square of wood with wire over the top. The chickens can eat the grass that pops up past the wire, but can't scratch up the roots.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Rather than grass, how about a food plot/ forage or seed mix as offered by Pheasants Forever? Mixed plants are best!
Mary

Never heard of that, thanks! I already bought the fescue, so I will have to use what I have and hope for the best, at least this year.

All you need is a growing frame.

They work great... think a square of wood with wire over the top. The chickens can eat the grass that pops up past the wire, but can't scratch up the roots.

Great idea!!! I have some poultry netting I can use to make one. Thanks!

 

[jthornton]

17 chickens, 700 square feet

Grass will not have any chance with that ratio. Wheat feed (not seed which may have coatings) is cheap and easy to plant in grass boxes.

JT

 

[123RedBeard]

Do you have the choice of rotation? Say give them a day a week on the new plot?

It will take a few months atleast to get established, and not the months that have snow either!