Should I put sod in my run?

[Underwhere]

My run is actually where a garden used to be.

I like the idea of the birds running around on grass but I'm not sure of the consequences.
This is a stupid question but if I put sod in there, will I have to cut the grass or will the 4 girls just kind of destroy it and prevent it from overgrowing?

 

[Steergirl]

Honestly it's not worth it because they will just scratch it and trample it so it's likely that nothing will grow. Most runs end up with sparse grass and a lot of soil.

 

[Underwhere]

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Ok thanks for the advice. I guess I'm just dreaming of the 4 girls playing in lush green grass.

I'm not really liking it being just soil

Maybe I should plant some fruit trees in there or something.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

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I agree. It'll take them a matter of days before it's gone.

On another note, your coop is TOTALLY ADORABLE! Did you make it?

 

[Underwhere]

Quote:
I agree. It'll take them a matter of days before it's gone.

On another note, your coop is TOTALLY ADORABLE! Did you make it?

Ok. So no grass.

yes I did. It took way longer than expected.
I do have some regrets. I wish it were big enough for me to walk in. I feel like a midget trying to get in there from the back swinging door to clean it etc.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4785720

 

[GiddyMoon]

Awesome flag you got there

 

[Underwhere]

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I'm raising my chicks to be fiscally conservative and accountable for their actions.

 

[GiddyMoon]

My better half named ours Right "Wing" Ranch...and I will be doing the same..just like I have done with my own kids. lol

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I agree. It'll take them a matter of days before it's gone.

On another note, your coop is TOTALLY ADORABLE! Did you make it?

Ok. So no grass.

yes I did. It took way longer than expected.
I do have some regrets. I wish it were big enough for me to walk in. I feel like a midget trying to get in there from the back swinging door to clean it etc.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4785720

Great thread, what a transformation! I had just one observation that I'd like to share, although unsolicited: chicken wire is not a predator-stopper. Most raccoons will remove chicken wire like we take foil off a baking dish. Easy peasy. I've read it a million times on here, but it bears repeating: chicken wire is intended to keep chickens in, not predators out. I think it's so often repeated because so many of us have started off with it thinking that it would be "fine" but in the end, we learned the lesson the hard way.

Just my two cents but it's something you may wish to consider.

 

[Underwhere]

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Thanks. I was somewhat worried about that and it's something I'll have to continue to think about.
I am having trouble figuring out how a raccoon will break through. My chicken wire is screwed in with washers.

Maybe a security review is in order.

Do raccoons only attack at night? The coop has an automatic door which closes when at a pre-set time. The girls are holed up inside. The door slides on the inside not the outside and is plexiglass with no hand holds.