feeding sprouts, grass alternative?

[janeken]

We are moving ours from a chicken tractor to a fixed pen my hubby built and was worried what would happen when they mowed the grass down to nothing, I might just try this...

 

[TexasLea]

Be sure to post how your chickens like their homegrown treat. I looked to see if I had any pics on my computer of how I planted a mini garden for my girls before. Unfortunately, I think those must have been in some I lost when my computer gave up the ghost awhile back. I guess it's time to do it again so I have some pics to share!

 

[chickenboy107]

can i feed them crickets

 

[chicken curious]

I saw a great solution one time that I'll try to describe: the premise is to build a box with a hardware cloth top that they can walk on and eat the tops of the grasses, but not scratch up the plant...I saw it as a frame on the ground with cross bracing so the cloth will support their weight, but if your run has a surface other than dirt, you could put a bottom on the box (with a few drainage holes?) and you'd need to water it more. Anyway, this way you could pull the box out (heck, put it on locking wheels!) and let the grass grow back up through the hardware cloth again and then give the chickens access until they eat it down...repeat

 

[TexasLea]

That frame sounds like a great idea! I may have to try that one.

Chcikenboy- if you are asking regarding adults, then yes they can eat crickets. Tiny chicks wouldn't be able too, but any bird with proper access to the ground or grit would be able to eat them.

 

[chicken curious]

re: crickets

my 8 week old chicks break apart larger beetles and they tore apart a lizard so fast it was hard to see! They love grubs (~5wk on), but a neighbor tried to gift them some when they were ~1-2 weeks old and they played with them, but didn't actually eat them. So, I guess it depends on the age of your chickens and what they've been exposed to so far.

 

[TexasLea]

That is an awesome setup! Wow!

I too have an unheated greenhouse, I may have to get ambitious and try that on a much smaller scale. Then if it works I could build the little holder like she did. I wonder where she got those big sprouting baskets?

 

[chicken curious]

There's a gal who grows and feeds sprouts to her flock. The set-up is brilliant: a systems of trays that are continually sprouting wheat grass. Her girls have a fresh tray every day, all year round. Here's a link. Hope it works
My Blog

That is AWESOME! thank you for posting the link!

 

[TexasLea]

I am in Arlington.

I have some bakery trays that were given to me that I'm going to try to use. I've hot glued fabric window screening to them and I have my first two trays going now. I'll report back on how it works.

Since your fairly close though let me know if you find those baskets like she uses at any of the stores around here. I looked them up on Amazon and there were some that looked alot like them but they were $20 for 2 baskets. That's a little rich for my blood.

 

[chicken curious]

I am in Arlington.

Well, hi there, neighbor!

I grew up SW of the Parks Mall and went to Martin HS I'll let you know if I find anything at the $ store...