Run is a barren wasteland!

[animallover505]

So I was wondering if I could plant some monkeygrass or something for them to nibble on and forage through. Would that be ok? If not, what hardy plants could I plant there?

 

[mommissan]

My flock has converted my run to something you'd see in Road Warrior.

You could try putting a screened box over your "garden" to keep them from ripping it all out too soon. Maybe even rotate a few feed plots? I always wondered how the feed plot seeds for deer would work.

 

[Fred's Hens]

A half dozen hens can turn most any "average" sized run into a moon scape in a few weeks. Some folks use a rotation system, which is purported to allow the sections used, to heal and regrow. A dozen hens might need a run which is 100 x 100 and still, between the potholes for dust bathing and our sandy soils, the damage is going to be very severe. It is tough keeping any run from being over loaded. That is our experience. I know that it isn't encouraging, but I hope it is realistic.

 

[animallover505]

can the nibble at monkey, or mondo, grass, or would it hurt them? What about lambs ear or hostas?

 

[mommissan]

Plantains and dandelions? They grow in spite of me.

 

[animallover505]

Platains don't grow where I live, and dandelions don't seem to anymore!

 

[7L Farm]

Almost every thing green will be history in the run. I just add more sand that's all you can do. Little buggers won't let you grow any thing that I know of. I have seven coops & all the runs look like the Mojave dessert. Add sand & roll on.