Developing the grass in your yard for increasing free ranging nutrition

[LeslieDJoyce]

I have a copy left behind by a poultry predecessor. It does not have what I am looking for in respect to level importance have to diet of free-range birds, rather information is qualitative.

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you wrote.

I'm curious, what kind of information are you looking for?

 

[centrarchid]

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you wrote.

I'm curious, what kind of information are you looking for?

I have hard copy of book left behind by someone that worked on poultry science back in the 1960's but since retired and passed on. Book was left to me because of my known interest in poultry. Already by that time when book was written the emphasis was on more intensive rearing of poultry. They already had knowledge needed to raise birds using complete formulations which freed them from having to reply on free-range forage. They could still do better with small numbers of birds free-range but to be economically viable as market price for chicken products went down, further intensification of production was needed to control losses due disease and predators which meant forgoing use of free-range forages. Many here are trying to reverse that trend by operating outside the commodity side of the poultry industry. Free-range birds and their products are different so they are valued differently.



I am looking to decrease need for complete formulations and need a better handle on what nutrients the free-range forages, especially on the vegetative plant side actually provide. Doing my voodoo trials with free-range flocks provided feeding stations with different types of feeds / grains, it apparent nutritional value with respect to quantity and quality varies a lot.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I plan to increase the number of laying hens I have (we run out of eggs to often). But I will be keeping a close eye on the forages as I so as to not have so many in the area that the forage is damaged. Mine have access to the compost pile and LOVE scratching through it. I do not have a dedicated dust area yet but plan to make one in hopes of minimizing the number they make for themselves. Have my eye on a discarded tractor tire I might use to fill with sand and ash for this.

I do not have anything planted along the fence rows yet, but intend this spring to put in various vining or cane type plants. Oh and roses! We currently have 1 large rose bush in the chicken yard and they love it. It and the ginormous pomegranite bush are their favorite places to hide and rest.

Here is a link to a free online version of what is reportedly a very useful book on poultry nutrition; http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924003011545;view=1up;seq=11

The book is called Feeding Poultry by Gustave F. Heuser.

This book was reprinted and is available in hard copy via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Poult...090826&sr=1-1&keywords=Feeding+poultry+Heuser

Here is the promotional paragraph about this book:
FEEDING POULTRY is required reading for anyone interested in giving their flocks a better diet. First published in 1955, this book is modern enough that no important point is overlooked, yet old enough that free range, green feed, home-grown grains, and small flocks are given due attention. Written by pioneering poultry scientist G. F. Heuser of Cornell University, the book is aimed at practical poultrymen in addition to poultry scientists, and this makes it more accessible than more recent works. This book is part of the Norton Creek Classics series; books from our past with an important role to play in our future.


Has anyone here read this book? It has been on my list for a while, but I'm reluctant to bring more books into my house unless it is absolutely necessary. I'm happy I found the online version, even though it isn't in the most readable format.

I have this book and have found its contents to be exhaustive! Lots and lots of good information to glean through. Not complete rations but individual ingredients. I like the book a lot.

 

[Kassaundra]

You are well ahead of me in active poultry pasture management! Your practice experience is a great resource.

Have you planted comfrey? I keep reading good stuff about it, but this resource says it is partially hype ... http://www.feedipedia.org/node/92

It regenerates well, but isn't as digestible or high in protein as white clover.

I planted comfrey, the "bocking" variety so not invasive like the seed propagated comfrey. Anyway every leaf that shows it's face in the chickens area is eaten down to the root immediately. They have plenty of green stuff to eat they are in an area w/ grass, weeds, garden, shrubs, fruit trees etc.... so they aren't attacking it b/c it is the only green food they have available. I am actually considering getting the invasive seed propagated stuff just so it stands a chance of survival.

 

[Beekissed]

I'd never really considered comfrey other than a cover crop to till under but surprisingly, it's got some info on it out there in regards to forage: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/comfrey.html

http://www.coescomfrey.com/use.html

Quote:

Comfrey is 22% to 33% Protein Compared to Alfalfa at 12% to 19%

- See more at: http://www.coescomfrey.com/use.html#sthash.Lgwlvqz6.dpuf

 

[Kassaundra]

I've never had to build any but many are using hardware cloth...but I think the squares too small on the hardware cloth to allow for broad leaf plantings...I'd do a 1x1 welded wire on those frames if I were building them. That way it would allow for seasonal plantings like kale, spinach, beets, etc. that one might want to intersperse with a winter wheat seeding, but would still be sturdy enough to support the weight of the chickens stepping on it to forage.

If I had to keep chickens in a run, nearly half of the entire run would be in planned foraging beds and bins of composting material so they could have variety and natural foods in their diet, and the other half would be a serious mix of deep litter materials, natural roosting, bug and worm habitat, etc.

I came across an extremely frugal alternative this year no building required, but it is a little "back woodsy, rednecky" old bed matresses w/ the fabric and stuffing removed. Grass like and broad leafs can grow up through the wire framing.

 

[Aphrael]

I came across an extremely frugal alternative this year no building required, but it is a little "back woodsy, rednecky" old bed matresses w/ the fabric and stuffing removed. Grass like and broad leafs can grow up through the wire framing.

Love that idea!

 

[Beekissed]

I LOVE that idea!!! And it would look kind of rustic and cute with the greenery growing up within the springs.

I was also thinking of pallets with some chicken wire stapled to the top and filled with soil...but the greens would only grow in strips.

I've used old screen doors to cover a cold frame before, so I'm sure they could be utilized as well to set atop a frame and if one used the hinges they could lift the top and work on the plants therein like I did in my cold frame.

 

[Kassaundra]

I really envy you guys with enough room to free range. My yard is not even big enough for the dog to really run in, and the coop/run is good for 4 hens, but not big enough for grow frames if I want to walk around and clean up. Approx 14X8 but not a true rectangle as I had to go around an OLD apple tree (too bad they don't care much for apples). Plus, it is shaded in the am (rats), and this time of year gets fair sun in the pm. I try to give then a variety of veggies and greens and scatter a small amount of scratch to keep them pecking around. Occasionally I put up portable dog runs and let them out on the grass. But I love reading these threads and dreaming of a bigger place.

You could always sprout grain seed and feed out either the sprout stage or grow to fodder. Sprouts offer good nutrition and are easier to do (imo) then the fodder. You can do an easy set up w/ what you have around free and it would take less then 5 minutes a day especially for 4 chickens.

 

[Kassaundra]

I'd never really considered comfrey other than a cover crop to till under but surprisingly, it's got some info on it out there in regards to forage: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/comfrey.html

http://www.coescomfrey.com/use.html

Coescomfrey is where I got mine, this gentleman is extremely friendly and helpful, send quality product for a fair price.