Hen's and mare's tail

[chaneyb1]

Hi,
I've just taken over an allotment and would like some hen's, if the association will allow it. The allotment is full of mare's tail, do hen's like this, if so will they dig up the roots?

[Sunbeam]

Dunno about Mare's tail - mine love cat food! I have to chase the little buggers out of the kitchen/front room at least 3 times per day...!

If they don't like it then they will at the least scratch it all out! They're excellent for getting the moss out of your lawn too!

[chaneyb1]

Scratching it out is good enough for me, many thank's.

[Alice]

Has anybody found the hens get rid of the mare's tails. If this is so then I might get some just long enough to do the job as I have a patch where nothing else works. Mmm ! No more mare's tails.. Fresh eggs.... and fresh chicken for Christmas. Mmm ! Could put up with the wrath of the veggies for that.

[nick the grief]

I doubt it as the roots go to Australia !!! They may scratch the tops off but the bottom bit will still spread, if it's lasted since the dinosaurs I don't think chooks will hurt it !

[Shortie]

Wow, I never realised it had been around that long!

[nick the grief]

I'm not sure it has, but it is certainly a primitive plant. & the roots/rhyzome do go a long way down

[Shortie]

A bit off-topic I know but maybe they were the fossilized roots we kept finding when we went fozzil hunting on our holidays!

[poultrychat]

I would also doubt that they would get rid of it for you - but don't let that put you off

[Loz]

Mares tail roots go on for metres!!

If your hens break off a bit they will just spread it around.

Best thing to get rid is a glyphos based weedkiller and keep the chickens off until it is dead. You may need several applications.

Personally, I'd ask for a different plot

Loz