Any Gardeners Here?

[socalchicks]

I am new to gardening, this will be my second year and am planning my spring garden. Last year I just had one raised bed, this year I'll have three. I'm going to devote a portion to medicinal herbs and greens just for the chickens and bunnies.

My question is this - I just bought some seeds that are for the chickens to make their eggs have extra Omega 3's. I've never used this before and I'm a little confused on how to grow it. The mix contains 20% Common Flax, 5% Ladino Clover, 5% Birdsfoot Broadleaf Trefoil, 10% Non-dormant Alfalfa, 20% Red Cowpeas, and 40% Buckwheat. It is sold as a pasture seed mix.

By the way it is described on the website I bought it from I think I need to plant it in the ground (as opposed to the raised bed) where the chickens can scratch and peck at it. I live in a tract house and have a corner of my yard fenced off for the chickens. I was going to plant it in the chicken yard, but I'm not sure how to do it so they don't eat it all before its grown. In my mind I picture the whole chicken yard green with this stuff, but I don't think that is going to work! I think the best thing is to section off part of the yard with a temporary landscape fence until its grown and then let the girls have at it.

Do you think that's the best way to do it? Also, is this something that they will eat until its completely gone or will it keep growing back? I have 1lb of seed and it says to plant 2-3 lbs per 1,000 sf. My chicken yard is 400 sf (I only have 5 chickens).

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Farmington]

Without proper soil, you won't have much of anything, so first things first, get a soil sample, and amend your soil accordingly. You will definitely need to keep the birds off of it for a while until things have a chance to grow. Your clovers are perennial, but the others are not, so basically, as the birds pick at it, you may be left with only clover, and that pretty sparse depending on how heavily they pick it.

 

[Kittymomma]

I think you're on the right track. I suspect that you won't be able to let them have free access to it without them destroying it though. Maybe you could let them in for an hour or two everyday after it gets established?

 

[Roy]

I think that I would plant it on the ground but, I would also fence off the area, or it won't get the chance to grow. It should come back every year if it's anything like grass seed... just my opinion...

 

[socalchicks]

Thanks for the advice.

I don't have great soil, its a lot of clay. I will be bringing in a good organic soil for the planter beds so I will just get some more for the part of the chicken yard that will be planted. I hope the girls like it if I'm going to all this trouble for them!

 

[sherrydeanne]

I'd do a little frame for that area. Take 4 pieces of wood (2x6's or 2x4's), lay them on their thin sides, make a box and then put a double, offset layer of chicken wire or hardware cloth over it. That way, the bottom few inches of your plants will be protected and will hopefully regrow throughout the year.
Where did you get the mix? It sounds like something I need

 

[socalchicks]

Quote:
The frame is a great idea! It would be nice if it lasted a little longer so I don't have to keep re-seeding it.

I got the mix from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply. Here is the website: www.groworganic.com
Its called Omega-3 Chicken Forage Mix. This is my first order from them, but so far I've been impressed by the customer service. I just ordered 4 bare root fruit trees, grapes, some seedlings and TONS of seeds! I placed my order Sunday night and received everything (except the seedlings) on Wednesday. Just in time for our rain! I thought the prices were pretty good, especially for all organic stuff. But, I am in California so maybe my point of reference is off! I think the chicken mix is like $3 a lb or something like that.

Anyway, sorry for babbling on. I'm just really excited to get my garden going!

 

[leenie]

Quote:

BRILLIANT!