Found an idea for using a frame covered in hardware cloth that is placed over a seeded bed. It can be seeded with anything but we are using a mix that is sold for growing for deer hunting that has wheat, oats, clover, brassicas, field peas, and a few other things in it. The idea is the grains grow up through the hardware cloth and the chickens can then eat it as they please but because they don't have access to the roots they won't scratch them up or pull out the roots and the greens can continue to grow. After a couple of months or when the greens die back, you can just remove the frame, let the chickens scratch up the soil and roots, and replant the whole thing.
I'll post pictures as we build it and it grows and see how it does. It sounds like a great way to have greens available for the birds for most of the year and to supplement their feed with fresh grown stuff. Has anyone else heard of this or tried this before?
Barred rocks, red sex link, silver wyandotte, white leghorns, mottled cochin banty, silkie, blue swedish and khaki campbell ducks, meat rabbits, white holland turkeys, turtles, cats, and as much garden space as one can cram into a small urban yard half given over to the chickens
Barred rocks, red sex link, silver wyandotte, white leghorns, mottled cochin banty, silkie, blue swedish and khaki campbell ducks, meat rabbits, white holland turkeys, turtles, cats, and as much garden space as one can cram into a small urban yard half given over to the chickens
the hens will love it if you can get it growing
