Can I grow grass?

[elisabeth44]

I want to grow grass in my run (my hens are mostly free range) but I'm worried the hens will eat the seeds. Any advice will help!

 

[AkChris]

They will likely eat the seeds and/or scratch up and eat the new young grass. The best way to get grass is to cover it with some type of wire on a frame. The grass can grow up through the wire and the chickens can't get to the seeds or new shoots to dig them up.
If the run is big enough and chicken density is low enough you might be able to remove the frames once the grass is well established.

Here's a pic taken from this blog...that has plans and tells you how to build them.

 

[aart]

They will likely eat the seeds and/or scratch up and eat the new young grass. The best way to get grass is to cover it with some type of wire on a frame. The grass can grow up through the wire and the chickens can't get to the seeds or new shoots to dig them up.
If the run is big enough and chicken density is low enough you might be able to remove the frames once the grass is well established.

Here's a pic taken from this blog...that has plans and tells you how to build them.

These 1/2" hardware cloth mesh grazing frames work great!
You can grow regular 'lawn' grass or other grassy leaved plants like wheat, oats, etc.
You can use larger mesh to grow other plants with wider leaves.

You might want to cover them from chicken access until the plants roots are well established tho,
they can pull young shoots right out of the ground.

Watch the raw edges of the mesh, it can cut chicken feet and end up infected (bumblefoot).
I like the one on top the best, I ripped a 1/2 wide piece off the 2x4 and used to to cover the mesh edges....
....then you don't need washers with your screws!

 

[elisabeth44]

Awesome! I'll try it