Storms and chickens

[Mel (& Paul)]

I know a lot has been said about the lack of grass when chickens invade our lives, but I thought this was amusing (you might not, but hey that's your problem!)

Our garden is fairly large with a patch of grass (we have never called it a lawn) and loads of trees and shrubs.

With 4 chooks last summer our grass just about survived

However, with 8 chooks and winter we now have a barren wasteland.

Obviously you cant just reseed as the chooks just eat it.

So (& Paul) came up with the brilliant idea of seeding, watering and covering with a large clear tarpaurlin. It worked!!!

After a short while we saw lovely green shoots. The chooks couldnt get to it and last Saturday whilst the chooks were safely shut away we removed the tarp to admire the lush grass.

Unfortunately Paul forgot to replace the tarp, let the chickens out and, 20 minutes later we were back to barren wasteland.

I never thought I would see a grown man cry or should expletives at chickens whilst trying to chase them off the patch/

Hey Ho

It made me giggle

Chickens will definitely rule the world one day.

[Guest]

 

We've given up on grass this year - we're going to deck the mudbath instead, and give the chickens seed trays with grass in it instead....

[Mel (& Paul)]

I think that might be a good idae

[Martin B]

We're creating a bark area to save the grass!

[spott]

my chickens don't seem to dig up the grass, they dig up the edges, i can see myslef left with a dinnerplate size lawn surrounded by mudbath in next to no time... it looks so cute though... i am thinking of putting some shrubs in and fencing the area off for a little while since i will have less digging to do now.

[Chicken on a mission]

Spot, it's funny you should say that because mine are the same.

 

I think it is because our lawn is thick and lucious with no weak patches having only been laid a year and a half ago.

 

The eges go right up to our fencing because we decided we would cut in borders as and when we had the money to by the plants to put in them!

 

We have a good sized garden for a 30's semi and the 3 girls don't cause any permanant damage. This is why I don't think I will be getting any more chickens. I personally wanted my girls to have free run of the whole garden and we are now getting a permant site for the run itself for the times when they do need to be shut in because the edges where the run sides come down get trashed

[Laura007]

We're creating a bark area to save the grass!

 

if they get out and about the grass will not be saved!!!!!

[Lesley]

I wish I'd seen that Mel

 

We let the girls out on the lawn most afternoons and so far it is still looking good. The ducks are trashing their little bit though!

[Mel (& Paul)]

Pauls very very sad

[Richard and Jo]

I put 2 rolls of turf in their alloted area of the garden where no grass is left and they haven't touched it let them on the existing lawn and they rake straight into it

[PurpleHen]

fussy eaters maybe

if it's a different variety if grass - maybe it makes all the difference....

[Mel (& Paul)]

I can just imagine

"oh no, we dont eat any old common or garden grass dont you know"

"no dear, it has to be the very finest, most loved and cared for lawn"

"yes dear, and arent the humans fond of us doing it - cant you just hear their shouts of encouragement as we rake the lawn"

[PurpleHen]

[motherhen]

 

We have a good sized garden for a 30's semi and the 3 girls don't cause any permanant damage. This is why I don't think I will be getting any more chickens. I personally wanted my girls to have free run of the whole garden and we are now getting a permant site for the run itself for the times when they do need to be shut in because the edges where the run sides come down get trashed

 

 

thanks for the reminder, that if you can get the right balance between size of lawn and number of hens (and congratulations on being so strong and avoiding the "wouldn't one in that colour be nice" temptation) it is possible to have your lawn and have the hens eat it

 

BTW Commiserations to Paul, Mel, but do remind him how much extra time he'll have to sit on his bare earth with a glass in hand, now he won't have to do all that tedious lawn care Perhaps you could get him a small piece of artifial grass to put his lounger on

[Chicken on a mission]

Trying to resist getting more chooks is a nightmare when I keep seeing all the lovely photos of the various breeds of chickens other members keep.

 

I personally think that photos should be banned from the forum unless someone can give me a Lesley style smallholding

 

Another plus side of having chooks is that it has prompted hubby to get his finger out and finish the garden! 4 years ago we had a concrete base laid for decking to go on top of and hubby also half built some raised planters.

 

Now we are in the middle of the next phase of garden improvements. The raised planters have been finished off and I'm just waiting for the render to dry so I can paint them. We have all the decking sat on the driveway ready to be be laid once the planters have been painted. We have had a delivery of edging stones and concrete etc to make a permanant run site for the girls - they will still free range but where our lawn is less than 2 seasons old you know where the eglue has been everytime because the lawn has compacted and we have dips

 

We are also putting a fence across to stop the girls getting on the decking and keep them on the grass. If photos haven't been banned, I will try to get some before and after shoots sorted out

[Chicken on a mission]

What's an eglue

[motherhen]

What's an eglue

 

How stylish - you have the first French eglue

[Lesley]

I thought it was one you had to stick together yourself