Raised beds in Chicken run?

[CrAZyChickLady1]

I can't let my girls free range so I am considering raised beds in the runs. Has anyone tried a raised bed in the chicken run? What is the maintenance on this? I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions.

 

[sunflour]

glad you have joined us. You should start a thread under "New Members" to get a proper welcoming.

Raised beds or other landscape in the run will be barren in a few hours. The flock will love it, but eat, pull up and scratch away your lovely plants so quickly it will surprise you.

My flock live in confinement and are quite happy with their home. But we added a small area adjacent to their covered run to give them some variety in activity - with temporary fencing and bird netting cover - so they can be out when we are at home and on watch for predators. It has piles of leaves, a compost bin and occasionally place a pot of chicken safe plants for them to explore. The plants are " toast" after only a couple of hours.

IMO plant outside the run for yourself. There are a lot of threads with suggestions on entertaining the flock - such as seed/ treat balls, hanging greens, chicken flock blocks, chicken suet or just a handful of seeds and dried mealie worms keeps them busy. They cannot resist exploring a pile of anything.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Do you mean raised beds for growing vegetable?
You'd need to cover them so the chooks wouldn't tear them up.


Maybe you mean grazing frames, to provide them with some greenery to eat but not scratch into oblivion?
This oughta get you started http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

I found that I like to cover the edges of the fencing/mesh tho to deter foot punctures,
Like the top frame shown here, I ripped a half inch off 2x4 then screwed it on to hold and cover edges of mesh

 

[sunflour]

Welcome to BYC!
Do you mean raised beds for growing vegetable?
You'd need to cover them so the chooks wouldn't tear them up.


Maybe you mean grazing frames, to provide them with some greenery to eat but not scratch into oblivion?
This oughta get you started http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

I found that I like to cover the edges of the fencing/mesh tho to deter foot punctures,
Like the top frame shown here, I ripped a half inch off 2x4 then screwed it on to hold and cover edges of mesh

Interesting, do you use hardware cloth or another type of wire. Personally, have avoided these for fear of foot injuries or cuts. But know all chickens would love this.

 

[aart]

Quote: 1/2" HC for grasses/grains...1"x2" for larger leaved plants.

 

[lynnehd]

Interesting, do you use hardware cloth or another type of wire. Personally, have avoided these for fear of foot injuries or cuts. But know all chickens would love this.

1/2" HC for grasses/grains...1"x2" for larger leaved plants.

I love my grazing frames! They work very well.

 

[ECBW]

Tried the raised mesh. The birds loved to rest on top and poop into them and suffocate any plants in them as result.

 

[CrAZyChickLady1]

Yes, Yes, Yes "Chicken Juggler, this is what I need for sure, Grazing Frames!!! - Thank you so much for the pics and details!

 

[CrAZyChickLady1]

Sunflour, thank you for the response and information. Not sure where to start the new member thread... Great Idea, I will see if I can figure that out. Thank you!

 

[aart]

Tried the raised mesh. The birds loved to rest on top and poop into them and suffocate any plants in them as result.

They do take some maintenance ....
....I raise them up (for maybe 20 minutes-no more) once in awhile the let them 'clean' them out, with a little help from me and my rake.