Adding a chicken garden - what to plant?

[RoyalCoopMom]

I currently have 4 chickens soon to be 8. I am planning to add a chicken garden to my setup. currently my girls have a 22 sqft coop and 200+ sqft of "run" They free range 2-8 hours daily (average probably 3) The "run" space is mostly under my covered deck with straw and dirt floor. About 60 sqft is exposed enough to grow stuff but is currently very rocky with dirt and straw. the 60 sqft is fenced separate so I can close it off to allow new plants to establish. The space is only about 4 ft high and only has 3 - 2ft wide access doors so it is not easy to get into to plant and care for. Any recommendations on what to plant here? If I remove the rain guard and the straw it will grow weeds and ground cover from it's previous purpose. should I seed it? Put in some sod or try something like alfalfa?

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, the likelihood that you will get anything to establish under your deck is remote. If you have a section of the run which gets good sun, you might be able to do a grazing frame: build a frame of 2 x 4's covered over with welded wire mesh to keep them from digging the plants out before they are established. grain crops, various greens might be a good option.

 

[RUNuts]

Clover? Rye or hi protein deer graze?

 

[lazy gardener]

All three.