poop vs. lawn

[alaskachick]

I live in a very high eagle populated area and for this reason I cant let my chickens range freely. I am planning on building a chicken tractor and move them to a 1/2 acre lawn area. I am wondering what their poop will do to my lawn. Will it burn the grass. It is a nicely manucured lawn in the back of my home. I hate for all that lawn/food to go to waste. I do feed them the clipping after I mow it, however I want my chickens to be able to graze. Please let me know... I may have to come up with another idea if its bad for the lawn.

 

[mboreham1]

mine free range on about 1/4 acre, their poop doesnt burn the grass, it provides lots of little piles for my beagle to roll in.

 

[CCourson05]

I have moved a run amd within a day, all the grass is gone. Dead. Eaten. Scratched to pieces. I would reccomemd another idea.

 

[Chick Charm]

Your lawn will love it if the birds are moved regularly. Your birds will love it even more. Your buggs will surely be turned into fertilizer for sure. It's a win win win situation. Just remember to move them often. You'll figure it out. I have had the best lawn in town for a long time due mostly in part to "MY CHICKENS". Keep them out of one spot for too long and things will work out well.

 

[alhanse77]

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And for the dogs to eat.

 

[PhoenixAngel429]

It shouldn't be too bad. Ours free range and the only problem is stepping in it.

We have a huge pile from the tree where they roost. Don't use a lot for a garden. Good for corn.

 

[cobrien]

I am no expert but think it depends on how many chickens, how big the tractor is and how long it stays there. and probably a bit on how much digging/foraging they do and how bored they are. I've kept 4 chickens that I would call average foragers/diggers in a 40 s.f. tractor for 1 day and the grass was totally fine. 2 days and it started looking a little shabby. More than that and it looked pretty bad. Sounds like you have a lot of chickens (14?) I think you'd need quite a big tractor to keep them from damaging the grass - might be best to try some things before building the tractor.

 

[donrae]

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You have a lot of birds, will need a large tractor or they will have it down to dirt in no time.

 

[kla37]

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My dog started doing that too!!! I have to look her over before she comes inside and wipe her down if she's rolled in it!

 

[apmomma]

Mine too!!! My little dog rolls in it and my big dog eats it.....