[sally10]

Hi,
I have recently got a second lot of 8 chickens and because I have created a new area for them seperate from my others I haven't had chance and because of the time of year to plant grass seed.
Once spring arrives I will section some off and grow grass from seed however in the mean time its quite muddy. I know people don't always have their chickens on grass. What would you guys suggest to put down to make it less of a mud bath but nothing permanent such as gravel as I will be growing grass come spring.
Would do other people do and what would you suggest ??

Just also seen another thread where someone had grown grass in trays and put them in for a snack, does anyone know if I could do this at this time of year in trays in the greenhouse ??

Thanks in advance for your advice xx

Sarah x

[sally10]

p.s it hasn't got a roof and it is too large to put a roof on it xx

thanks

[lynsnow]

have read that some people put woodchip down in runs i have hemcore in mine but its only small.

[kegs]

I've been using Rapport both in the coop and on the floor of the run.  I've found it to be more successful and softer than the Aubiose bedding, it's cheaper than Hemcore, has kept the run mud free and breaks down easily in the compost bin too.

[Tony H]

Hi i use wood chip and found it great as my run is open  when you want to grow grass seed i have herd that if you put wire mesh on top of the soil it will stop the chucks digging it up  best of all they still get to eat the grass 

[ANHBUC]

I have gathered all the fallen leaves off our trees and bushes and put them in their run.  Then just rake them around every few days.  It seems to be working and in the spring I will rake them up and put them into the compost bin.

[yorky]

I have chopped straw down at the moment from this company.

http://www.unibed.uk.com/poultry-game-bedding.cfm

Its half the price of hemcore from my local feed store and the hens seem to love it.

[themagicaltoad1]

Can you cover part of the run? it will give them a dry bit to have a dust bath in. The part of my run which isn't covered I dig over every now and then, they go mad for the worms, just watch you don't cut their heads off with the spade because they will dive in for a nice juicy worm just as you're about to drop the spade down!

[sally10]

thanks for those ideas guys really appreciate it, I can't really cover the outdoor area from the way i have it set up but I am going to look into the different products available as I really need to get something down think they would prefer it to mud !!!!

anybody any ideas on growing grass in trays in the greenhouse during the winter ? will it grow?

when I grow it in spring I'm going to try the wire mesh to see if it help keeps the grass longer, great idea !!

[Sassy]

Grass seed should grow on a light window sill keep it well watered.

[sally10]

Brilliant ! Thanks sassy

[Tony H]

if you go to your local garden and buy the cheapest grass seed they have it grows at this time of year  i grow mine this way i have 3 seed trys and plant each one 2 weeks appart  cress is also verry easy to grow 

[sally10]

Thanks Tony, I'll give it a go x

[Maddys mum]

I use sharp sand covered with chopped straw and just top up as necessary

[Casey76]

Most grasses wont grow unless the temperature is over 6C, so in the depths of winter you may need to bring it inside, or heat your greenhouse

At the moment my chicken pen has a "mulch" of fallen leaves.  In the winter, when it gets really bad I put wood chippings down, and when that fails I open a bale or two of linseed straw, and make paths with it.

But... my chicken pen doean't have any grass in it summer or winter, despite the chickens having about 10sqm each