Overgrown run

[Ruby Gloom]

I have a serious problem. My 8 hens were previously in a 12'X14' run that I moved weekly and they turned into dirt in less than 3 days. I tried to solve the problem by putting their old run next to the shed and tore off the back after erecting a 6' high fence giving them access to a 15'X80' area. Now the grass is growing and they're doing NOTHING to destroy it! The few days that I've let them free range previously, they showed interest in a tiny pine tree that was actually a potted Christmas tree that was planted and expected to die but is now 5' tall. I put the permanent run there. They've turned it into a dust bathing area which I know makes then happy but why aren't they destroying the lawn? Most people would be happy but the only access I have to the area is through the door to the original run because I thought they'd have the entire area turned to dust in a month... In fact, if I moved their original run from space to space like I used to ... It would all be gone. Suppose I do buy a push mower and get it through the door with the help of a friend and cut the grass.... Will they turn it into a barren area? They're not shy chickens and how they learned to run to the coop when a wild bird says there's a hawk in the area is still a mystery to me but really, is having a larger area what made them stop destroying everything? I mean, they were juggernauts in the past and now they could care less about the grass. Is it safe for me to cut it? I worry that if I do that they'll turn it back into a mud pit the first time it rains where grass will never grow again!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! Can you post some pictures?

 

[AnnPann]

I’ve been there. I had to get a push mower to keep it from getting too out of control- mostly crabgrass. They’d get really excited when I mowed though and spend hours pecking around the freshly mowed area. But the next year it was back to nothing but dirt- I think they spent the fall eating all the seeds because nothing came up in that area the next spring.

I wouldn’t let it get too tall this year or they may start eating the long pieces of grass and you might end up with crop issues. Or snakes!

If it’s small enough area, you could just use a weed whacker to cut it back when it’s getting unruly.

 

[Ruby Gloom]

I actually like our rat snakes. They do give you a start when you catch one eating an egg in the box but when you live between two corn fields... The cat can only bring home so much... Our pitbull usually steals his kills and the darn cat is back in less than 10 minutes with another! Yeah, snakes are a problem for other people but I welcome them since they have WAY too much food to worry about my yard! Still, this balance between cutting the grass and them destroying it verses letting it grow is a toughie. They don't seem interested in eating it at all now that they have more space! I think they were leading a rebellion before!