Using salt or vinegar as weedkiller

[MrsCordial]

Apologies if this isn't the right place for this post. I'm sure a mod will be along soon to move it on if it's in the wrong place

We have a couple of troublesome spots in our (hated but can't-afford-to-change) gravel/scalpings around the house and garden, where weeds and grass proliferate. I've spent hours pulling up the darned stuff, and of course this year it's creeping towards the house again. We're very reluctant to use weedkiller, but DH has suggested salt, and I've read that vinegar can kill weeds. Has anyone used either of these, with any success? We have two hens so obviously we have to make sure they won't get salt/vinegar poisoning!

Thanks.

[Mr Bones]

I've used vinegar on pathways before, it works primarily by desiccating the leaves but it does stay in the soil for a while and will kill worms, microbes etc. It's more effective with a squirt of washing up liquid added so it doesn't run off so fast and works best on a sunny day.

[rustylady]

Have you tried boiling water? Kills the weeds and nothing to harm your hens.

[MrsCordial]

How about boiling vinegar with washing-up liquid in it?!

Thanks for both of those. I'd never thought of boiling water so will start with that and see how we go.