A grazing garden for the chickens

[KnitswithChickens]

I was thinking about planting a garden patch just for the chickens this spring - a place where I won't care if they eat the plants (my veggie patch will be in a safe chicken proof place!) Any suggestions from previous experience about what your chickens ate (or stole) out of your gardens?

 

[easttxchick]

They LOVED my Swiss Chard-we just let them have it. I intend to plant them some more this year.

 

[HEChicken]

Mine loved peas (ate the plants and left the peas for me!) and Kale, plus the Swiss Chard mentioned above.

 

[KnitswithChickens]

Yes, swiss chard was definitely one plant on my list - I had a wonderful container of ornamental chard on my patio - now I have a container of potting soil!

 

[SallyF]

Mine went nuts for cabbage plants...totally demolished a whole row of cabbage.

 

[KKatknap]

This is so great! I wanted to do that, too!!

 

[biddyboo]

Swiss chard: top favorite. Runners up: spinach, broccoli leaves (NOT the heads), romaine lettuce, fallen tomatoes, cabbage, turnip tops I wonder if their little chicken brains would comprehend "our garden--hens" as opposed to "Her garden--mine"? ~G

 

[nanawendy]

Mine love any thing dark green but cilantro. I love that they don't complain about veggies... like the "other kids " did.

 

[alpinefarm]

Garlic greenery/tops are a *big* favorite around here! The hens swoon!

 

[wildorchid053]

we planted a hill of purple clover for erosion control and i cannot keep them from eating it.. it is their most favorite thing.. just don't plant the white kind..