Chicken Friendly Lawn Care

JK Mayo · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:26 pm Post subject: Chicken Friendly Lawn Care

Hi Folks,

We have quite a large lawn and keep it in fairly goof nick. Usual treatment is potato manure (7-6-17) twice a year and dicophar for the weeds.

We have recently bought some chickens which free range on the loan and have decided to stop with the chemicals.

Thing is, the weeds are making a come back, mainly clover and creeping butter cup.

We want to keep a nice lawn, but do not want to damage our hens or the environment.

Any suggestions on environmentally safe weed controls and fertilisers out there? Have come across corn gluten mentioned in a few places, but have not found where to buy in Ireland.

Cheers
JK

Good guy · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:17 pm Post subject:

What's wrong with buttercups and clover?
If you want to discourage buttercups, drain your lawn better as they like damp soil. But that may be a futile exercise in this country! However, they like conditions to be on the acid side whilst most grasses are happiest in a slightly alkaline soil, so the regular application of small amounts of lime may help. As for the clover, it does make a very palatable white wine.

Ado 2 · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:55 am Post subject:

I believe chickens eat clover and dandelions ! !

Greengage · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:25 pm Post subject:

They will eventually leave nothing but Nettles, I know from experience,

JK Mayo · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:00 pm Post subject: Chickens and Chemicals

Thanks for the replies.

I have down some further research and it would appear lime is a runner.

Would you have any idea on the safety of potato manure, 7-6-17?