Minnie the Moocher Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I'm going to re-turf where the ladies have wrecked the grass. Has anyone done this? Can they go on it straightaway if needs must? Any tips gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Yes, about 4 weeks ago . No needs must here, I'm afraid . They've not been allowed anywhere near it . Except where they can reach ... I'm assuming it'll grow back . TBH though, my dog has caused more damage with his wee so I'm limiting his access to the back garden too . Oh, and the boys aren't allowed to play football on it either . Apart from that it's a real family garden . There have been a couple of threads about re-turfed lawns recently. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=42840&hilit=turf http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=42304&hilit=turf http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41873&hilit=+turf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Thanks ANH. I might invest in some Omlet netting and move them out for a while. I will have to construct a chickenwire tunnel to get them from their WIR to an area of lawn bypassing my new flowerbed. They'll have to have access to the WIR as my coop is a sizeable shed on staddle stones (ie non-moveable) and they will need to get back in to lay. Oh, and I'll have to convince OH that spending yet more money on the girls will be a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I will have to construct a chickenwire tunnel to get them from their WIR to an area of lawn bypassing my new flower bed The things we do for our chooks!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarcell Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hi Minnie, We returfed our garden early autumn last year as we relandscaped the lot! We didn't let the chickens on it for one week, but were fine thereafter. However, our hens have to stay in their run whilst we're at work, so their free-ranging time on the new grass has been limited to evenings and weekends. Our turf has grown into green, healthy grass. Hope this helps, Newmarcell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Thanks. I was also wondering whether, once they have sampled life 'on the other side of the fence', it makes them keen to be out; I'll feel mean putting them back in 'confinement' once the grass has taken! Their WIR is sizeable, BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 i only did some 32/3 weeks ago. dead expensive stuff, meanyt to be drought, flood shade resistant AND heavy heavy dutry. kept them off it a week. boy does this stuff grow! they are ok on it but got 3 piddle rings from dogs. 167 foot garden and they have to do it there! nearest the house! have heard some say they scvratch it up quickly, but this stuff roots dead fast too, it wasrootinhg as I looked at the rolls. RTF turf it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 RTF turf it is! I returfed with RTF turf last year, it is expensive but really good stuff, it has a very long root system so can withstand droughts well and is tough. The chickens are not allowed on it though because they are manic scratchers and would destroy it within a week. Like ANH I have a frings of bare earth where they poke their heads through the netting and eat what they can reach:evil: Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 so for now I can say I have good girls they just eat the top(saves mowing) perhaps they have enough places better suited or to their liking for scratch at! cannot belive how fast the RTF grows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 We returf every year. Current lawn is just like brown farmyard so we are doing it this weekend. I am going to fence off the lawn for a month or so with the Omlet netting so the girls cant get their beaks on it until it "beds in". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Our run used to look like this: It goes behind the building you can see, and is a fair size for five birds, but now it's all brown. The small child came free with the chicken shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
