How long should ground be left without hens?

[Anonymous]

We free range our chickens in a large fenced area - about 500 sq metres.
This year we have have had most of the table birds in a smaller area - probably a maximum of 50 birds in 100 sq metres. Numbers built up from the spring and have steadily declined as we have slaughtered.
This ground has little green left on it. Should we leave it fallow, and if so for how long, before putting more birds on it?

 

[foxy]

We have a similar system, this time of year we start closing down some of the smaller runs and laying fallow for roughly 6 - 8months. I then rake add grass seed and over the bald areas rotavate and add topsoil mixed with grass seed I find this is a good time of year, plenty of moisture but the ground isn't hard and frozen yet. I lime the area early in the new year a couple of months before any birds are ranging on them. Birds are wormed before going into the fresh runs. I am toying with checking the Ph before and after seeing how leaving a run empty affects the soil.

 

[wendywoggles]

Foxy, do you use the brown garden lime or the white builders lime?
thanx
so for hijacking your thread Steve.

 

[foxy]

Just ordinary garden lime Woggles, and just in the area near where their house was and drinker was situated. They tended to hang out around the house this summer, and ther drinker was a bit like the water cooler in an office good place for a catchup and gossip!

 

[wendywoggles]

They tended to hang out around the house this summer, and ther drinker was a bit like the water cooler in an office good place for a catchup and gossip!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[podstable]

My turn to hi-jack now!When re seeding bald areas which grass variety is going to give the toughest 'chicken durable' grass.? I usually use a handful of whatever I have spare but can probably improve on this!They live on a lawny/orchardy area.Ros