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Planting a vegetable garden, what will my chickens like??

post #1 of 10
Thread Starter 

Im putting in a vegetable garden this weekend and was wondering what I could plant for my hens?? I see plenty of poisonous plant information but not a lot on what they can eat and enjoy, I would love to know what is safe and tasty for my hens :)

post #2 of 10

Mine have eaten tomatos, squashes of different kinds, cucumbers, green beans, carrot tops, beet tops, any melon, didn't like eggplant so much, peppers are okay but they like the seeds more than the flesh, any berries are great, broccoli and it's cousins are good, spinich and lettuce and other greens are good. Sunflowers are good, too. You can dry them and save them for the boring winter.

Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rachel BB
 

Well, the kittens aren't so cute anymore and the easter egger cockerels are in the freezer. Plus, I think offering them as "prizes" scared folks off! So, I'm still posting quotes, if you know it let me know. I'm very enamored of this new one, it may hang around for a while!

 

"If I'd known the world was ending I'd have brought better books"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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post #3 of 10

They will eat anything that sprouts and if given the opportunity, they will eat the sprouts first.

I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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post #4 of 10

The chickens tend to eat  most anything.  The don't like cucumber rinds, corn husks, or fennel from what I have learned.  Mine think that weeds tossed over the fence are the cat's pajamas.  Tomatoes grow as volunteers all around the runs, so the chickens have tomato leaves and fruit all the time.

 

Chris

post #5 of 10

Any type of lettuces, mustard greens, turnips, collards, cabbage. Lettuce is the easiest. Grows really quick so you can replant it as needed

Proud owner of 4 Red Sex Links, 2 barred Rocks, 1 RIR, 2 Daschunds, a kid and a wife!!!

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Proud owner of 4 Red Sex Links, 2 barred Rocks, 1 RIR, 2 Daschunds, a kid and a wife!!!

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post #6 of 10

I thought tomato leaves were toxic to chickens? 

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #7 of 10

I've read on a number of sites that tomato leaves are toxic for chickens.  Rhubarb leaves are also toxic.

 

Spinach and chard are good bets as well, and handy because you can freeze extra for winter.  Anything in the cabbage family. 

 

Those will be some lucky chickens!

Whoever said don't count your chickens before they're hatched clearly never tried to count chickens after they're hatched.
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Whoever said don't count your chickens before they're hatched clearly never tried to count chickens after they're hatched.
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post #8 of 10

I have a huge bed of spinach just for my chickens. In winter we grow broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower and the hens love the leaves. You can pull the entire plant our, cut of the broccoli flowers or cauliflower for yourself and hang the plant upside down in the run for the chickens to play with. Or you can hang a whole cabbage up for them. They will love you for it.

 

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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post #9 of 10

someone said that cabbage isn't good for the chickens, is this true or false?

post #10 of 10

I noticed chickens really like swiss chard alot 

Είσαι φοβερή σ' αγαπώ πολύ

κλαίω και πονώ
με την πάρτη σου εχω τρελαθεί
γιατί

I love Naked Necks! 

 

Check Out My Vid at NE Poultry Congress Walk

Through of the show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePmnNMdVnGM 

 

Soon to drive Big Rigs!

 

 

 

 

 

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Είσαι φοβερή σ' αγαπώ πολύ

κλαίω και πονώ
με την πάρτη σου εχω τρελαθεί
γιατί

I love Naked Necks! 

 

Check Out My Vid at NE Poultry Congress Walk

Through of the show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePmnNMdVnGM 

 

Soon to drive Big Rigs!

 

 

 

 

 

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