CluckyBucks Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Hello all My hens cannot FR due to hazards in our garden, and the main road being just behind. Thier run has gotten awfully muddy and there isnt much grass for them to eat unless i give them some, so i was wondering if putting a roll of turf in for them to peck at would be ideal? Could it cause them any harm? Thankyou, xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 It wont to them any harm but may well make the run muddier! I'd be inclined to put some woodchips down in the run to solve the mud problem regarding the grass you could cut down strips of turf and put chunks in to seed trays for them or maybe sow some grass seed on to trays of compost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 We do regularly, although often put a layer of Hemcore over the top. 1) It keeps them busy pecking at the grass through the Hemcore 2) The hemcore is added as is keeps the poo situation under control 3) The turf is hard even for them to dig down through, so it stops the massive craters in the run, that tend to go right under the skirt of the run, and nearly out the other side! 4) We do also keep the run covered - we don't expect the grass to live with all the pecking, scratching and poo'ing, so not much point exposing it to the elements! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted October 28, 2010 Author Share Posted October 28, 2010 Thankyou for your prompt replies I think the seed tray idea sounds as though it would work for my girls I think i'll throw the odd bit of turf in every so often, as i s"Ooops, word censored!"e out the contents of the run often so a bit of extra muck wouldnt be an issue. My run isnt covered as i have a hen obesessed with raindrops Thanks again xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 You can, but if they're anything like my 'scaredy cats' they'll run a mile! We put a strip of turf in the WIR for them to play with and they were terrified, wouldn't even walk on it so they walked round it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 It wont to them any harm but may well make the run muddier! I'd be inclined to put some woodchips down in the run to solve the mud problem regarding the grass you could cut down strips of turf and put chunks in to seed trays for them This is what i do as I don't have a lawn! I have a few in rotation...one goes in until it's looking a tad sick or well grazed...so I switch it for another one...the first one gets a good soaking with the hose to break down any poo then sits in a sunny spot to recover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
