Chicken Food Tower

[Phaedra Geiermann]

07.16 Update

So far the growth meets my expectation, both grass and veggies seeds are germinating from the side and the top of the tower.

Young grass

grass and some brassicas seedlings

brassicas seedlings, 2-3 days for them in summer will be enough to germiante

Well, i don't really care they will be eaten as micro greens or leafy greens, no matter what, they will be the food+fun of the chickens.

Top, some grass and some peas

Another top, but I added another thin layer of compost just yesterday, few days later more seedlings will appear.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

07.11 Update

Yesterday it rained again heavily, so all the towers are well watered. Two of them are now 80% full, so on the top layer, I planted mixed basil, and then again covered with a thin layer of compost. View attachment 2755466

The coming week we will again have plenty rain (really a bit too much...), so the good thing is no need to worry about watering. Besides, during the process of piling it up, I added some green materials so some moisture can be kept.

So far seems the girls are curious about their new hang-out areas

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Question - have you considered setting up the towers in a square or triangle patter to add some stability, with the roosting bars between them? Or do you think they are massive enough, in spite of the small foot print relative to height, that there's no risk of toppling??? I can't imagine some small stakes at the bottom would do more than help the base hold its shape.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Question - have you considered setting up the towers in a square or triangle patter to add some stability, with the roosting bars between them? Or do you think they are massive enough, in spite of the small foot print relative to height, that there's no risk of toppling??? I can't imagine some small stakes at the bottom would do more than help the base hold its shape.

Thanks, i didn't think about that, the hardware cloth comes in a roll, so just cut it and make it into round shape. It might be a bit difficult for me to make them into square or triangle shape (2.5mm). So far it is quite stable and I guess sooner or later, all the roots from the new plants will become another support as they have free access to the ground, and I always leave the roots in.

However, more support will be always a better option, I will update here after the plants grows bigger.

 

[Silkie Princess]

Great Idea! Certainly gonna try it!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks, i didn't think about that, the hardware cloth comes in a roll, so just cut it and make it into round shape. It might be a bit difficult for me to make them into square or triangle shape (2.5mm). So far it is quite stable and I guess sooner or later, all the roots from the new plants will become another support as they have free access to the ground, and I always leave the roots in.

However, more support will be always a better option, I will update here after the plants grows bigger.

I meant placing them in a square or triangle shape, connected by roosting polls, not shaping the towers into triangles or rectangles. Your round shape is actually both strongest and most efficient for containing the contents.

Sorry I was unclear. Apologies also for the stick figure character of the illustration, I know its crude, I'm rushed today.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

I meant placing them in a square or triangle shape, connected by roosting polls, not shaping the towers into triangles or rectangles. Your round shape is actually both strongest and most efficient for containing the contents.

Sorry I was unclear. Apologies also for the stick figure character of the illustration, I know its crude, I'm rushed today.

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Ah, now i understand you, yes, this I did think about when I settled the last 2 and I plant to arrange another 4 of them in another run just like the squre shape you illustrate above! Because as you said, it will be more stable and even more like a place for them to hang out

In fact I can't wait to make the next food towers, just waiting the hardware cloth to arrive, and no problem, all kinds of communication have risk to be misunderstood, and you know what, I am so glad that we have such a discussion, becoz it's originally just an idea with many imaginations in my head, that's so nice we can talk about it and see how a better version can be accomodated, i like it!

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

07.18 Update

The established ones have so far nice growth, and some girls (also baby chicks) have already found and tried to get some snacks from the towers. It's funny to see how concentrated they are to figure out young leaves and jump, jump, jump.

The carrot tops are also growing

I added another 4 in another run, will put in this time majorly grass and wild flower seeds.

I personally like this idea very much, and will also try to put one in my vegetable patch, but for the vegetable patch, I will insert a 4-week seedlings from the side instead of directly sow.

 

[N F C]

Things are sprouting nicely @Phaedra Geiermann

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

It works! At least it looks fun

 

[ladybrasa]

This is definitely an interesting idea!! I am wondering if putting another wire wrap a few inches wider around the main tower would allow the grass and such to get more established and grow a little bigger before the chooks could pick it out? Might that allow the grass to continue living while the birds ‘mow’ it?