Time for planting chicken forage blend!

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Mrs. Fluffy Puffy said:
In the process of switching my birds over to just wheatgrass. It's very cost efficient, nutritious, a little bit of work, but worth it. :)
400
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I've got awful solid clay soil in the area where I'm going to put the initial run, so I've been busy researching plants that will not only provide good forage, but also break up and improve clay soils. So far clover, purslane, and fodder radish have made the cut list. Looking forward to the contributions of deep litter in the run as well.
 
Jensownzoo said:
I've got awful solid clay soil in the area where I'm going to put the initial run, so I've been busy researching plants that will not only provide good forage, but also break up and improve clay soils. So far clover, purslane, and fodder radish have made the cut list. Looking forward to the contributions of deep litter in the run as well.
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Dandelions have very deep roots, but they can shade out other plants by pressing their leaf rosettes against the soil. Perhaps the chickens will keep them trimmed.

What are the major weeds in your area? If they're not poisonous and don't have invasive roots, then you could sow a bunch of those.
 
Sutremaine said:
Dandelions have very deep roots, but they can shade out other plants by pressing their leaf rosettes against the soil. Perhaps the chickens will keep them trimmed.

What are the major weeds in your area? If they're not poisonous and don't have invasive roots, then you could sow a bunch of those.
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It's not particularly muddy in this spot...covered in grass that apparently like clay. However, from digging holes in it for my coop, it is obvious that the grass really isn't adding much value to the soil. I need to dig/till some of it up anyway to improve drainage in the area so I thought I'd plant things that WILL improve it. The clover will add nitrogen, the fodder radishes will break up the soil and add biologic matter, the purslane can be considered an area weed, but it is not only tasty to chickens but is yummy in salads too. Chicory grows as a roadside "weed" here, so maybe I'll add some of that...it has nice taproots and can be eaten by chickens.
 

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