Ms Tilytinkle Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Hi there, Hubby has asked me to post on your 'chicken forum place' & ask what he can use for the weeds in between some paving slabs, as he usually puts weed killer down as the roots are too long to ever pull them out. He is concerned about poisoning them, as the chickens nibble everything!!! Also he was wondering about how he can now treat the moss on the lawns . .anyone had same dilemmas, any solutions, advice or experience would be welcomed. He says as yet they've eaten everything except the moss !!!! Many Thanks Ms Tillystickledbythechickensantics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Glycosphate (SP?) is the least toxic....but tbh I wouldn't use anything like that near the hens. The hens will clear the path for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Sprinkle lots of mixed corn on the lawn and they will soon scratch up the moss and the grass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Roundup which contains Glyphosate is the safest weedkiller to be used around animals,but they will need keeping away from treated areas until the liquid has dried. Cant help with the moss though cause the most effective way of killing it is with using ammonium sulphate (lawn sand),but this is toxic.Why not buy a lawn scarifier-you can get cheap ones for around £50 and they last a lifetime or the old trusty rake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Our chickens do a great job of scratching up the moss and so far the grass hasn't suffered too much. We also rake the lawn regularly to clean up the chicken poo and the rake brings up loads of moss. If you don't want to use weedkillers around the chickens you could try one of those blow torches to burn the weeds. I use an old fashioned paving knife to dig them up and a dandlion grubber to clear weeds from the lawn. It takes a while but I've been reluctant to use weedkillers since our son has been around and I don't like what they do to the environment. There are pet safe weed and moss killers but I can't tell you which is best. Have a chat to someone at a local family run garden centre they should be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Hiya , moss on the lawn is usually due to poor drainage so scarify the lawn (basically raking the moss and thatch off) then aerate it (make holes over the lawn with a garden fork and fill them in with sand - not builders sand though cos it may have nasties in that could make the chooks ill) and give it a good feed. Keep scarifying each spring and autumn. And for the paving , I would grub it out with a knife or other specially made tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted April 4, 2008 Author Share Posted April 4, 2008 Hi All, Many Thanks, yes we have & use a sacrifier - regularly & hand pick, rake etc the lawn - the moss just loves this area, we've been duelling with moss for 15 years We have it much more under control than ever, hardly any now but it grows prolifically if left unattended. Thanks for all suggestions - might try the blow torch idea as when we usually pull them out with knives - forks anything we can get down in between the crack the roots remain then just keep growing. Then the sprinkling corn over area Ms Tilyappreciateshavinganetworkofchookexpertsupporttohand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 My approach to gardening has been changed totally by having chickens, I won't use any products now that they might eat! I do use glyphosate on the cursed bramble though - mainly it's too high up for them to reach, and they don't eat it anyway - I wish they did! so I'm reassured to hear it's ok once it's dry. I find one of those little right-angled tools is good for getting weeds out between slabs, but if you have a huge area then you could try burning them off? I don't think you can ever get all the roots out, and if you do then something else just blows in - I'm just resigned to doing it twice a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 If this is a problamatic area-think about changing your garden slightly.Part of my lawn was always covered in moss despite being south facing,but i made a dry border using stone chippings and planted hot plants like Yucca,Palms etc.The soil stays damp which suits the plants cause they get plenty of water and i dont get the moss anymore. Sometimes is easier to play with the hand you've been dealt with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzie Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I wouldn't use any chemicals around the chickens vinegar works very well on weeds put it in a spray bottle and just spray the weeds. I have also used boiling water to kill weeds in between the bricks in my walkways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I wouldn't use any chemicals around the chickens vinegar works very well on weeds put it in a spray bottle and just spray the weeds. I have also used boiling water to kill weeds in between the bricks in my walkways. That has jogged my memory. My neighbour uses a mixture of both these methods. She uses hot vinegar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I would use chickens - they done a grand job of removing all the weeds on the patio and most of them on the lawn - why would you need weed killer? Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...