Cover crop for chickens

[JaeG]

Dandelion and chicory are favourites of my birds. Every bird we have (from finches to cockatiels to quail to chickens) love both those plants.

 

[RonEstrada]

I just ordered some wheat, rye, barley, and rape to grow for my flock.

Love the idea of a garden and chicken run next to each other - if feasible you should consider switching them every year. Great for fertility, great for pest avoidance.

I just ordered 5 lbs. each of rye, barley, and clover. Deer Creek says all their seed is organic, so I can harvest seed as well. My quail will be harder as their protein requirements are higher. Guess that’s what worms and bugs are for.

 

[JaeG]

I just ordered 5 lbs. each of rye, barley, and clover. Deer Creek says all their seed is organic, so I can harvest seed as well. My quail will be harder as their protein requirements are higher. Guess that’s what worms and bugs are for.

Clover and alfalfa are both high in protein so they'd be two to grow for quail. Mine adore alfalfa sprouts.

 

[RonEstrada]

Clover and alfalfa are both high in protein so they'd be two to grow for quail. Mine adore alfalfa sprouts.

I passed on the alfalfa due to the cost (these free eggs get terribly expensive). I was, however, just reading another thread about comfrey. Interesting stuff.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I passed on the alfalfa due to the cost (these free eggs get terribly expensive). I was, however, just reading another thread about comfrey. Interesting stuff.

LOL on the free eggs!

I’ve build a few circular “sprout spots” in my run with old welded wire fence scraps. The fence keeps the chickens out while everything sprouts and grows, then I remove it and let them have at the greenery.

I’ve also been looking at comfrey as an “outside the run” border plant to harvest for the flock periodically. Looks like you can get root cuttings pretty reasonable on eBay from several sellers.

 

[RonEstrada]

LOL on the free eggs!

I’ve build a few circular “sprout spots” in my run with old welded wire fence scraps. The fence keeps the chickens out while everything sprouts and grows, then I remove it and let them have at the greenery.

I’ve also been looking at comfrey as an “outside the run” border plant to harvest for the flock periodically. Looks like you can get root cuttings pretty reasonable on eBay from several sellers.

I ordered my comfrey from here: http://www.coescomfrey.com/order.html

 

[JaeG]

Comfrey is great - but in my climate I'd need to keep it contained or it would quickly take over. I'm sure your spoilt birds will love it and produce top quality eggs.

 

[B-Goock]

I passed on the alfalfa due to the cost (these free eggs get terribly expensive). I was, however, just reading another thread about comfrey. Interesting stuff.

My sister just planted some comfrey.
I planted a wildlife food plot mix. Got it on clearance after hunting season was over.