Weed Control Around Perimeter of Chicken Run

[lahaskell]

I am in the process of building my chicken run. It is 19 feet long & 12 feet wide & I am burying hardware cloth 12 inches deep that will be anchored in place by a 2 x 6 that I am also burying. That being said, I am recognizing that once the dirt is packed back in place all that will be level with the hardware cloth is dirt & grass & weeds will probably grow up it. Just from working with the hardware cloth I am worried that if I use a weed eater around the perimeter I will break holes in the hardware cloth. I am wondering if weed spray could be used around the perimeter after the chickens have went in the coop at night & if it's dried by morning when they come back out if that's ok or not? I don't want to adversely affect the health of the chickens, but I don't want a chicken run that's an eye sore either. Any better ideas? Thank you!

 

[crumptz]

I wouldn't suggest a weed spray. I would suggest that you lay down a nice strip of weed free landscape fabric (home depot) and cover it up with dirt, straw,gravel or wood chips. Personally, I'm a fan of straw because it is super cheap and you can add to it easily if you use the straw in the run as well... In doing this, you will have about 3 feet of weed free space around your coop/run. Hope that helps!

 

[akb77]

...or you can do what I did. I laid newspaper down for my weed barrier and then covered with mulch. Recycling at its finest and cost effective.

 

[chfite]

I doubt a weedeater would damage hardware cloth. You can safely spray the weeds with straight vinegar with a bit of dawn dishwashing detergent added. It kills the leaves. With sufficient use, it will kill the plants. It won't hurt the chickens. Otherwise, your yard will smell like a salad.

My coop sits off in a shaded bed area, so I don't worry about weeds.

Chris

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I doubt a weedeater would damage hardware cloth. You can safely spray the weeds with straight vinegar with a bit of dawn dishwashing detergent added. It kills the leaves. With sufficient use, it will kill the plants. It won't hurt the chickens. Otherwise, your yard will smell like a salad.

My coop sits off in a shaded bed area, so I don't worry about weeds.

Chris

x2 We used vinegar along our chain link fence and it works wonders. You just have to reapply it more often since it doesn't have a residual like pesticide. But I don't think a weed eater should do any damage.