Sod Plastic Mesh/Netting Under Grass...Should I Be Concerned

[My Three Chicks]

My chickens are digging up grass in their run and I'm in the process of adding flooring on top. However, where they've scratched/dug down, I can see that the sod still has the plastic mesh/netting that comes underneath it when you buy sod. See pic. Is this something I need to be concerned with? I don't think the chickens will be able to break off and eat it but not sure. And if I should be concerned, what is there that I can I do about it??

 

[MROO]

They aren't likely to get tangled in it unless it's loose, so that's not a major issue. I would be more concerned about them picking at and swallowing any broken strings. Plastic definitely doesn't digest well!
Removing it depends on where it's located. If it's in their enclosed run, I'd pull it. Your birds are going to destroy the grass over it, anyway, so you won't really be hurting the greens. If it's out in the yard, can you keep them off of the area until the grass covers it over again? Another option would be to build up the soil cover. If the mesh is biodegradable, just try to keep them off of it ... I know ... easier said than done, right?
In the future, you can save a lot of money (and backache) by avoiding lined sod sheets completely. A simple seeding covered with a burlap cover works wonders, and there's no danger to your birds.
BTW - That's a neat picture and she's a very pretty lady!

 

[My Three Chicks]

They aren't likely to get tangled in it unless it's loose, so that's not a major issue. I would be more concerned about them picking at and swallowing any broken strings. Plastic definitely doesn't digest well!
Removing it depends on where it's located. If it's in their enclosed run, I'd pull it. Your birds are going to destroy the grass over it, anyway, so you won't really be hurting the greens. If it's out in the yard, can you keep them off of the area until the grass covers it over again? Another option would be to build up the soil cover. If the mesh is biodegradable, just try to keep them off of it ... I know ... easier said than done, right?
In the future, you can save a lot of money (and backache) by avoiding lined sod sheets completely. A simple seeding covered with a burlap cover works wonders, and there's no danger to your birds.
BTW - That's a neat picture and she's a very pretty lady!

Thanks MROO. It's in their enclosed run so I think I better remove it. I'll pull it out as they dig down to that depth.

(This was before the digging frenzy began!)

 

[3KillerBs]

If you can remove it, do.

A while back someone here lost a bird who became entangled in sod-mesh.

 

[aart]

I think I better remove it. I'll pull it out as they dig down to that depth.

Good decision.
Might be best to tear up the sod all at once.
How long has sod been down?

 

[My Three Chicks]

Good decision.
Might be best to tear up the sod all at once.
How long has sod been down?

I moved into this house 3 years ago. Not sure how long its been down but I think right before we moved in.

 

[aart]

I moved into this house 3 years ago. Not sure how long its been down but I think right before we moved in.

So grass roots are probably well below mesh.
Will be a job to get it up, sharp square shovel under mesh will help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you can remove it, do.

A while back someone here lost a bird who became entangled in sod-mesh.

Yup, I bookmarked it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sod.1428923/

 

[My Three Chicks]

Yup, I bookmarked it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sod.1428923/

Wow just read the thread...how scary and sad. I will definitely start working on removing it immediately.

 

[MROO]

Thanks MROO. It's in their enclosed run so I think I better remove it. I'll pull it out as they dig down to that depth.

(This was before the digging frenzy began!)
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Nice setup! One thing you may want to seriously consider, though, is putting mesh around and a solid top over your heat pump/AC unit. If you don't, you're gonna have one mell-uv-a-hess with chicken poo and feathers!