Safe weed control in chicken yard questions

[LakeGooseBerry]

Hi Everyone,
I have done everything I can to grow grass and other green edibles in my chicken yard. Unfortunately, there are non-edible (or at least undesirable) weeds that are overtaking the grass.
Does anyone know if there is a weed killer that is selective for broadleaf weeds but safe for chickens and grass?

Okay, to clarify....My chicken space is limited, about 35 by 35 feet -ish (maybe more). My flock fluctuates between about 9 to 14 chickens so they very quickly destroy anything I put down.
I built frames that sit about 4 inches off the ground with hardware mesh laying over the top. It has spaces that allow the grass to grow through but the chickens cannot scratch the roots to death. It has been great and they always have lots of greens. This year however the common mallow has taken over and the chickens won't touch that stuff. The mesh makes it impossible for me to pull those weeds out.

 

[Folly's place]

The short answer is that no. there isn't. Mow it, or pull them, and add deep bedding, as wood chips, shavings, weeds, grass clippings (untreated!) and let them make mulch out of it all. I'd only want to get any toxic weeds out of there, and realize that tasty plants won't make it in a run with chickens!
Enjoy the plant diversity!
You could rotate run space, if you have the room and inclination, so one section can grow, another section can be grazed, and the wiped out section can be mowed.
Mary

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I know!!! Picky girls!!

The article I read said people could eat mallow in salad. Maybe you need to offer your flock some dressing options?

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

You have a weed (or weeds) growing in the chicken run that they won’t eat or at least scratch up? What is it?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Chicken are a natural herbicide. Be thankful something is growing in their run?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Your chickens saw your butterfly garden and decided to build their own? Impressive!

If the weeds are doing some good, maybe they’re not weeds!

They never were weeds just under appreciated plants.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Chicken are a natural herbicide. Be thankful something is growing in their run?

That’s what I was thinking! My first reaction when I have a weedy patch is “get some chickens on that!”

The poster is in GA, and I’m in RI...so quite possible they have a level of weeds I can’t even fathom up here.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Mostly common mallow

Yup...I was right...never heard of it and had to Google

The link I checked said it’s hard to kill, even with herbicide...but that it is edible.

Im surprised your flock doesn’t devour it.

 

[AllenK RGV]

The weeds my chicken let live in their run seem to support butterflies. They are evil geniuses. Yep they farm.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

The weeds my chicken let live in their run seem to support butterflies. They are evil geniuses. Yep they farm.

Is it milkweed by chance. Butterflies (esp. Monarchs) love it, but it’s toxic to most everything else.