[sion01]

Im toying with the idea of getting some more hens,I had 6 hens up to about 3 years ago and really miss having them in the garden.One reason I got rid of them was that i felt that the area I had for them was too small (about 5 x 5 meters) and it soon turned in to a squalid mud bath.I would be able to give them at least double the space now and was wondering if somebody could recommend a seed mix or particular type of grass/herb that could stand up to 6 hungry chooks.I know about the balfour system but this would unfortunately be impossible.Thank you

[joyfull]

In any fixed run you will find that any grasses and plants will soon be demolished very quickly.

[Sassy]

You can buy seed mix especially for poultry. However, Joyfull is right it would soon disappear. Have you got space to sow seed and cut your own turves for your chooks to feed on - I do think you would need an awful lot of space tho'. Just a thought.

[joyfull]

or why not just buy the occasional roll of turf and put that down 

[barley]

if you can come up with a grass that survives in a chicken enclosure you will become a millionaire 

you can use bark chips , wood shavings , sand , old leaves during winter to help with the mud and you can hang bunches of weeds , greens from the run for chooks to peck at - I specially grow cos lettuce in my green house during winter just for my spoilt girls

never tried it but you could try a roll of artificial turf over the mud , might work 

[Sassy]

You can also get rubber chips to put down. Can be hosed off, will not blow about, will not rot down.

[sion01]

Thanks for the reply's looks like I'll have to put up with mud or forget about the chickens.I just think the egg's taste so much better if the chickens have had some greens

[Geo]

Sion do you have a major supermarket near you. I have found our local t--co put a lot of veg in the reduced to clear area around 9pm. I have managed to get lettuce for 6p. packs of salad for around 16p. and packs of beansprouts also reduced.

[sion01]

I've gone one better :DMy nice friendly greengrocer has promised to keep me all the fruit /veg thats gone over in return for some eggs.A baker has also said he could give me up to a binbag full of bread/cakes daily.I wish I had space to keep a pig now LOL

[orchardlady]

If you like your birds to have grass you could grow it in seed trays and occasionally give them a tray of lovely young grass as it grows.

Orchard lady