Roobaloo Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Grass is actually very difficult to kill...but only providing it's allowed to get truly established. The best way to allow this is to heavily seed it, keep everything off it...and trim it regularly. By keeping it trimmed, the grass puts more energy into developing a thicker and healthier root system...and grow outwards rather than up. Once the roots are established, just make sure not to "over-graze" it...if the blades are being pecked to the soil or dirt patches are being revealed, move the hens or fence off the damaged area and re-seed. I'm just jealous as we don't have a lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 How's it looking now OSH would you still recommend this grass seed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 There is that canadian grass seed stuff - supposed to green up really quickly...Are there any types of grass out there that might not be suitable for chickens, ie weed and feed style things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I've ordered just 2kg so looking forward to lush chicken pastures in their garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffypigs Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I am very interested in this thread as I have just unsuccessfully tried to reseed my lawn. I think the seed must have been a bit old as it hasn't come up at all and it's been 2 weeks now. Is this grass supposed to be allowed to grow long? That wouldn't be practical for the kids (plus the cats get ticks in long grass). My grass has got to survive chickens and kids and the last lawn definitely lost the battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 May be a bit cold, I believe it has to be above 9C for grass to grow. Longer grass isn't really suitable for a lawn. My garden is divided in half and will use it on the bottom half on the girls slope If they trim it I won't need to mow that wretched slope . It does say it's short growing. 'Our Poultry Pasture is based on short growing, hardwearing grass species to fulfil that basic requirement along with legumes and deep rooting herbs to increase the potential intake of protein, minerals and nutrients from the forage. Not only will this permanent pasture introduce a wider range of leaf matter into the diet, the more diverse habitat will attract a higher number of invertebrates for the free range bird to consume. The sward will generally provide good ground cover and a very stable, robust pasture, even in wet weather. Sow at the higher rate for faster and more even establishment.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Thanks for the recommendation - I don't know how much I'll need, but I'll give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I've ordered just 2kg so looking forward to lush chicken pastures in their garden I was just going to ask what their delivery is like & if you think it's worthwhile...............then looked at the date you posted .....honestly the lights are on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Waiting for OSH to report back as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Think I'm being a bit dim here - is this grass better at withstanding the destructive effects of chickens, or is it just that it's better for them? Can't work it out from the website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I'm hoping for the first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 How's it looking now OSH would you still recommend this grass seed? Yes, it's wonderful stuff. You can hardly see the soil for the tangle of roots and it's lovely to see all the different seed heads in summer. When hubby mowed it in the autumn the sparrows had a party in it for three days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 So the chickens don't manage to scratch it all up then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Looking forward to having my own meadow and bird sanctuary now May seed the rockery then if it works well on the slope then they can have the whole of the lower half of the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeMeadfan Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 We have some bare areas too However they seem to be where moss has been growing so when the girls scratch about then it comes up easily. I have noticed the Blackbirds are also getting the moss to build their nests with. Luckily I have shrub borders so the y tend to scratch and s"Ooops, word censored!"e there, but do leave their 'messages' all over thr grass They are little beggars for freshly turned soil though, so if I've planted anything ( we moved a new rose bush) I try to protect it while it's getting established. Mind you if it's not the girls it's the OH - I have a Peony coming up and he managed to knock the new stalks/leaves off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 So I gather it's great when left to grow, is it ok when cut as in a normal lawn? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 I'm sure it would be. If you mow very often and leave the clippings on in the first season. My grass is very dense so would, I'm sure, make a great lawn. I've just gone out to have look at the boundary of lawn and chicken lawn and where there is an overlap you can see the difference but the mowed bit looks fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Mine came yesterday a big bag for £12 odd is sewn at 50g a sq m so will have plenty. Guess what I'm doing Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Think I may have to order some for round the chook runs etc.......DH would probably prefer something less rugged but it'll be trashed anyway, so might as well be hardy to start with Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Presumably you have to prepare the ground in the same way you would for a 'proper' lawn? Yes, mine arrived nice and quickly too ....think I might have ordered a little bit too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 Presumably you have to prepare the ground in the same way you would for a 'proper' lawn? Yes, mine arrived nice and quickly too ....think I might have ordered a little bit too much! Yes prepare your ground. I did two sowings so used up the excess seed. It doesn't say to do this but I think it has made for a better sward. Sow in spring then again in the autumn. I'll get a picture for you tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I ordered a 5kg bag, hopefully that'll get most of the brown patches green again Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 This may help http://thegrassseedstore.co.uk/grassmatters/index.php?board=41.0 in particular this topic http://thegrassseedstore.co.uk/grassmatters/index.php?topic=8.0 and this one http://thegrassseedstore.co.uk/grassmatters/index.php?topic=16.0 OH laughs at me on chicken forum. If he knows I now read grass forums............oh dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Bit of copy/paste here as this is just what we did to start with Management - This is the simplest method. Cut your exisiting grass as short as possible. Rake the surface area until loose soil is visible. This can be hard work and needs to be done in two dirrections (For large areas consider hiring a scarifier) then sow your new grasses. Very regular mowing will stop the new seedlings from being smothered out while at the same time many old, course or weed grasses are just not tollerant of regular defoliation and will quite quickly die out leaving your new grasses to populate the sown area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Thank you both, very useful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
