[Beakybird]

Hi all

We are in the process of making a new area for our hens to live in. It's approx. 7.5m x 14m. It's been left totally wild prior to this, so it's covered in weeds/brambles/nettles/etc.

We've been digging out the largest clumps of brambles but there are thousands of seedlings from a type of plant/weed that I saw growing there last year (no idea what it is) plus there are lots of different weeds that I can't identify.

My question is, which would be the safest for my girls? Hand weeding as much as I can and risk them eating something they shouldn't, or using an organic weedkiller? I think it'll be about two months or so before we'll be in a position to move the girls onto the area.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Springlands]

Hi Beakybird - someone else might disagree but I think that it would be preferable to let the hens eat the weed seedlings rather than risk any weed killer. There is really no truly organic weedkiller and the hens would be at less risk eating the weeds.

[alancane]

Hens are great weedkillers themselves - no weeds in our garden since having them (mind you, not much else either  )
I would definitely let your hens enjoy the new weeds coming up and I wouldn't use the weedkiller chemical.

[Helenaj]

Hens do know what they can and can't eat - apparently they can tell by the smell of the plant. The only thing I would try and cut down on is the nettles. My plot was full of them last year and my girls went through a spate of sore eyes with a yellowy discharge which took me ages to narrow down to nettle stings on the eyes. Once I cut the established plants back there was no problem. Leave the new nettle shoots, the hens will love them.

[Beakybird]

Thank you for the great advice everyone. Looks like it's a case of taking out the bigger weeds (I'd like to give grass a chance to grow!) and trusting my girls to know their stuff

[evie2]

Were you hoping to have grass growing in the new chicken area :blink:

[Beakybird]

Were you hoping to have grass growing in the new chicken area :blink:

 :lol:Not a lawn Just a few blades of grass for them to nibble at. They are in an area twice the size at the moment (have been in there for nearly 18 mths) which is full of grass. The only bare bits are where they have a dust bath or where I walk a lot. There's only three of them, so with over 100 sq mtrs in the new area they shouldn't be able to strip it bare!

[ManicMum]

I'd agree with the others: chickens are the most organic weed (and plant & insect) killer available!!