Questions about the chicken run

[meridy]

I have four hens that have a very large run attached to their coop. It gets plenty of shade from surrounding trees. In the last year they have eaten every green thing in there but have lots of leaf piles to scratch around in. Do they need green leafy things too? They used to roam the yard but destroyed flower beds and I was tired of scrapping droppings off of every hard surface. Egg production has slowed, I don’t think they are eating or drinking as much except when I give them fresh food. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[Beccazon]

Are you in a position to switch to a tractor rather than their regular coop? Or use one as a run and change it's location slightly each day? Mine prefer to free range too but I totally get the pain that can be in certain aspects!!

Sorry about the edits, apparently my thumbs are spastic today LOL

 

[Beccazon]

I also have ample property and have from time to time pulled a piece of sod...maybe 2'x2' from away from the main yard to set in their run for fun. I did that after I heard of a friend of a friend who cannot free range in city limits and the run was dirt so she (get this) bought hunks of sod from a local sod farm And ran a fresh strip of sod in the run each week LOL!

 

[meridy]

The sod is a great idea! I can’t move the run and have started letting them free range the last 3 or 4 hours of the day. But do you think the lack of green stuff is contributing to the decreased eggs and lack of eating and drinking? They look healthy but I want them to be happy and still produce.

 

[Parront]

The sod is a great idea! I can’t move the run and have started letting them free range the last 3 or 4 hours of the day. But do you think the lack of green stuff is contributing to the decreased eggs and lack of eating and drinking? They look healthy but I want them to be happy and still produce.

The age of your hens can contribute to lower egg production. The hot weather this time of year. Decreasing daylight and onset of molting. Lots of things contribute to eggs. Fresh greens have lots of liquid and vitamins. Some folks sprout grain for their birds, might be cheaper than sod!

 

[Parront]

The sod is a great idea! I can’t move the run and have started letting them free range the last 3 or 4 hours of the day. But do you think the lack of green stuff is contributing to the decreased eggs and lack of eating and drinking? They look healthy but I want them to be happy and still produce.

Welcome to our Backyard! Looks like you just joined us. If you put your location in your avatar, you will get better answers to your questions.

 

[Beccazon]

The sod is a great idea! I can’t move the run and have started letting them free range the last 3 or 4 hours of the day. But do you think the lack of green stuff is contributing to the decreased eggs and lack of eating and drinking? They look healthy but I want them to be happy and still produce.

What is there actual age? You mention a year of eating your yard lol, are they a year? Like Parront said, lots can contribute to egg laying numbers! Have any of those other factors changed at the same time as their option to free range?

If they have always free-ranged since POL and you stopped that abruptly one day, it certainly can affect laying. But yup sod can be pricey. That's why I couldn't believe my friend's friend does that regularly! But for me it is free lol. Though she does not buy a roll, just a length of 6-8'. Heck maybe she trades eggs lol.

I have never sprouted grain...maybe I should try! Is that easy? Would be a great addition to winter feeding here in Michigan! Looks like a new thread to start!

 

[Parront]

What is there actual age? You mention a year of eating your yard lol, are they a year? Like Parront said, lots can contribute to egg laying numbers! Have any of those other factors changed at the same time as their option to free range?

If they have always free-ranged since POL and you stopped that abruptly one day, it certainly can affect laying. But yup sod can be pricey. That's why I couldn't believe my friend's friend does that regularly! But for me it is free lol. Though she does not buy a roll, just a length of 6-8'. Heck maybe she trades eggs lol.

I have never sprouted grain...maybe I should try! Is that easy? Would be a great addition to winter feeding here in Michigan! Looks like a new thread to start!

I am sure others have started that thread! Someone had a nice frame they built with wire to protect the greens. Birds could only eat the top, not all of it including scratching up the sod!

 

[Beccazon]

I am sure others have started that thread! Someone had a nice frame they built with wire to protect the greens. Birds could only eat the top, not all of it including scratching up the sod!

Oh my goodness how would I not have thought of mesh to avoid complete destruction?! Sheesh! Sounds like a fantastic idea!

 

[meridy]

What is there actual age? You mention a year of eating your yard lol, are they a year? Like Parront said, lots can contribute to egg laying numbers! Have any of those other factors changed at the same time as their option to free range?

If they have always free-ranged since POL and you stopped that abruptly one day, it certainly can affect laying. But yup sod can be pricey. That's why I couldn't believe my friend's friend does that regularly! But for me it is free lol. Though she does not buy a roll, just a length of 6-8'. Heck maybe she trades eggs lol.

I have never sprouted grain...maybe I should try! Is that easy? Would be a great addition to winter feeding here in Michigan! Looks like a new thread to start!