Mary Allen
The chickens love scratching for worms in the run or picking berries from bushes. Now is the ideal time of year to green the lawn in the yard or plant trees to provide shade in the summer.
In Switzerland, there are no regulations on the size of the pasture area. However, in the case of small stocks of up to 100 animals, the Aviforum in the teaching material on poultry husbandry indicates an area of five to ten square meters per hen. The organic regulation stipulates five square meters. As a rule of thumb for hobby owners, the stocking density is too high for a brown run, while it is fine for a green run.
The difficulty often manifests itself in winter when the grass does not grow back and the hens are outside. So that the turf is not completely destroyed, a short recovery phase for the chicken yard helps. During this time, the hens can be kept outdoors or in a covered aviary, for example. After a short time, the chicken yard shines in lush green again.
The first lawn cut is now recommended for all those chicken lovers who want to give their animals plenty of space to run around. Chickens feel at home on an “English lawn”. There they can always peck for fresh grass. Such a lawn is particularly suitable for chicken breeds with feathered feet. The chickens prefer short-cut grass too tall grasses. They can move about much better, and the freshly grown blades of grass are even easier to pick than firm and tough grasses. With the grass cut regularly, the chickens have fewer opportunities to scratch a trough or hole between two tall perennials. As a result, no first brown spots can form.
A long-lasting green run is best achieved with regular mowing. The lawnmower is ideal for this. There are also poultry farmers who use a robot lawnmower and therefore do not have to regularly push the mower around themselves. Experience has shown that the hens get used to the self-propelled device very well and its use is safe for the hens.
Plants Provide Variety
Especially with young animals or crowing roosters, it is important to ensure a varied run. Shrubs give them a chance to hide, and they also provide a way to dodge in ranked battles between rival animals. No poisonous plants are known for the chickens, but a nice combination is shrubs that create added value for the chickens. All types of berries, such as the fast-growing currant, are particularly suitable in the chicken yard. After just a few years, they have grown into a stately shrub that also offers shade in summer. The berries not eaten directly from the bush can be frozen and given to the chickens as a treat during the winter.
Depending on the space, smaller fruit trees up to standard trees are also suitable. Not all fruit is to be shared with the hens, but the poultry appreciates the apples that fall in the fall. A large bush of stinging nettles is often despised at first sight. But nettles dried in summer are a welcome change for the chickens in winter.
Another idea is a herb garden with rosemary, Maggi herb, or different types of tea. Everything that is not processed in the chicken owner’s kitchen is finely chopped and given to the growing flock of chicks. An inspiring book on this is “Superfood for Chickens, Pigeons & Co.” by Wilhelm Bauer from Ulmer Verlag. It shows which delicacies could be planted for the chickens in the garden or in the large chicken yard.
Opportunities for a Retreat in the Outlet
Not every outlet has the opportunity to plant numerous plants. A sand bath could provide variety there. A small dog house is suitable for a dry spot. This is filled with plenty of sand on the ground and thus always offers a weather-protected shelter. The hens can scratch around in it at any time and still have a chance to retreat if they get frightened in the run and don’t want to flee into the chicken house.
A perch in the run may seem confusing at first, but the chickens really appreciate this place to stay. In the event of quarrels among the animals, it also offers protection, because two animals do not argue on the perch. Particular attention should be paid to the height positioning because it must be lower than the perch in the chicken house. This ensures that the hens also visit the shelter in the chicken house at night.
There are numerous ways of structuring the hen’s run. Two boards put together are enough to form an additional roof and thus provide shelter. An additional potion is also popular and is particularly appreciated in the hot summer months. As a result, the hens do not have to make any further efforts for the cooling water.
No matter which variant you choose for your own chicken coop, spring is the best time to plant plants or to resee the lawn.