Maintaining a healthy, green pasture while keeping a flock of chickens presents a significant management conflict for many owners. Chickens instinctively scratch the soil to forage, which quickly tears up delicate grass roots, leading to soil erosion and compaction. Additionally, concentrated deposits of manure, which are high in nitrogen, can chemically burn the vegetation, leaving behind barren patches of dirt. Successfully growing grass with chickens requires a strategic approach that addresses these destructive behaviors through careful flock management, selection of hardy plant species, and focused soil remediation.
Implementing a Pasture Rotation System
The most effective method for preserving pasture health under the constant activity of a flock is adopting a system of rotational grazing. Continuous grazing fails because it never allows the root systems of forage plants sufficient time to recover from being clipped and scratched. By dividing a larger area into smaller, temporary paddocks, you can manage the impact of the birds and ensure the land receives necessary rest.
Successful rotation is based on giving the grass enough downtime to photosynthesize and replenish its root reserves. For a healthy recovery, a pasture typically needs a rest period of at least three to four weeks for every one week of use, though this varies seasonally. In warmer months with faster growth, the recovery period may be shorter, but it can extend to over 40 days during the cool season. The chickens must be moved out before they graze the forage below a height of about two inches, as shorter blades severely slow the rate of regrowth.
Calculating the appropriate run size is necessary to prevent overgrazing within the short occupation period. A general recommendation is to allocate approximately 10 square feet of pasture space per bird, though this can be adjusted based on the forage density and the frequency of rotation. Temporary fencing, such as lightweight poultry netting, makes moving the flock between paddocks simple and quick. This mobility prevents the soil damage and nitrogen buildup that ruin stationary runs.
Choosing the Right Chicken-Resistant Forage
Selecting the correct plant species is a biological defense against the constant wear and tear a flock inflicts on the ground. Delicate lawn grasses are ill-suited for this environment, while more robust forages are designed to withstand heavy use and recover rapidly. The best choices are typically deep-rooted varieties or those that spread aggressively, allowing them to anchor themselves against scratching and quickly fill in bare spots.
Hardy grasses such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are excellent options due to their resilience and quick regrowth after being grazed. These grasses form dense, durable sod that is less susceptible to being pulled up by foraging birds. Integrating legumes like white clover and red clover into the pasture mix offers benefits beyond durability.
Clovers are low-lying and spread vigorously, making them difficult for chickens to eliminate completely. They are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form usable by the surrounding grass. This process helps naturally balance the high nitrogen concentration deposited by chicken manure, which would otherwise burn the pasture. Fast-growing cover crops like peas, buckwheat, and flax can also be seeded, providing a nutritious, temporary food source that the birds enjoy foraging.
Soil Preparation and Seeding Methods
Even with the best rotation and forage choices, the soil in a chicken run often becomes heavily compacted, making it difficult for new seeds to germinate and for roots to penetrate. Before reseeding a rested paddock, address this compaction by lightly aerating the soil surface. This can be done with a pitchfork or a garden claw to break up the hard crust, allowing water and air to reach the deeper layers.
If the area has suffered from significant manure buildup, it is wise to flush the ground with water to dilute the extreme nitrogen concentrations before planting. Once the soil is prepared, seeds can be broadcast over the surface, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact for better germination rates. Timing the seeding to coincide with the start of a paddock’s rest period is essential, allowing the plants to mature without immediate pressure from the flock.
Protecting the newly sown seeds from being scratched up and eaten is the final step in the process. Covering the seeded area with a thin layer of weed-free straw or finished compost provides a protective mulch that retains moisture and shields the seeds. Chickens must not be returned until the new forage is well-established, typically reaching a height of four to six inches, which ensures the root system is robust enough to withstand the inevitable scratching.