How to Herd Chickens – Advice for All Seasons

Grazing chickens is convenient because with the presence of certain plants you can control the HEALTH of the bird and the quality of the eggs. For example, planting calendula will not only increase immunity , but also make the yolks brighter and more nutritious. However, there are also completely free options. A plot with wheatgrass will come in handy for the winter, dandelions are also good, as is nettle for chickens. 

However, as we know, when space is limited, as in a small garden plot, chickens will continue to graze in the same place until the vegetation is torn out by the roots. So even the superweed couch grass may not stand a chance, since its roots are tasty and nutritious for chickens. 

A farm "chicken tractor" - in other words, a conventional large chicken coop without a day, which is transported on wheels from place to place to give the grass a chance to grow, is not suitable for summer residents in most cases. But don't worry - there is a great life hack for you too!

These are grazing frames, a solution as simple as it is ingenious. Grazing frames are simple frames made from 2x4” timber with galvanised metal mesh (welded wire mesh) attached to the top. It’s like a raised bed for chickens. Set it over a patch of grass and the grass will grow through the holes. Chickens can snack on the green tips, and the frame protects the roots so the grass will survive and grow back the next day. 

The beauty of a grazing frame is that you can choose the size based on the available footage of land. The main thing to remember is to install supports at least 60 mm apart in the middle. This may seem excessive, but a flock of chickens can be quite heavy, especially when they all converge in one place at the top of the frame. After securing the mesh with a construction stapler (use galvanized staples, not regular ones from a stationery stapler) to the top of the frame around the perimeter every 100 mm, there is no need to attach it to the central supports. 

You can install the frame either on a prepared bed with a mixture of grains, leafy vegetables and useful flowers, or on feeding areas with common weeds that chickens like. In summer, watering is enough for the plants to produce greenery through the cells, and in winter you can mulch with straw to create conditions for new growth for the weeds. Winter wheat and winter rye are also suitable for the winter frame. It is likely that the chickens will leave droppings on the frame pasture - it is easily washed off with water from a hose, turning into organic fertilizers. In winter, it can simply be swept away with a broom or thrown away with a shovel.

It is convenient to launch frames on a conveyor principle, since the beds need to be updated. For example, in the spring you launch one batch of frames, closer to the end of summer, usually in August, you install the second, and simply open the first frames so that the hens can get not only the tops, but also the roots along with possible pests, such as slugs.