forage project idea need advice

[Tad]

apologies yes my math was way the hell off!!!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

LOL...


Just plant the Rye for now... you will be surprised how much of that they will consume. However not much will be converted to actual "meat building".

You need something a bit heavier like a legume such as clover or alfalfa. However in your area I'm not sure if you could grow it? I don't see why you couldn't if you have irrigation and a shade cover...

Chickens will get much more from the alfalfa and clover than any other type of plant. Personally if I were you in your situation I would plant the whole thing in a mixture of grass, clover, and alfalfa. If you water it well... during the dry season... it will be an emerald green. Don't bother with fertilizer as that "pasture" will have more than it will know what to do with from the chickens.

My biggest concern would be weather. Make sure your structure is big enough to keep them in on rainy/windy days.

But the whole idea sounds great, what a good way to utilize empty space.

 

[twentynine]

Here you go Tad. These pictures were taken this morning.

0730

1130 after 4 hours of chicken grazing.

 

[Tad]

I am still going to give it a whirl, I plan on using oats and rye, altho here the bermuda grass will dominate in no time at all.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Yes, but meat birds will not do as much damage as they don't forage as aggressivly for bugs. They will just pick at the grass and the scratching is minimal.

I'd say go for it, you can tweak it as you go.

 

[Tad]

i started clearing out the house, we have had cold and nasty weather, so its a slow go...I will post some pics of it when I am done!

 

[twentynine]

Tad

I was not trying to discourage you in any way. What I was trying to do was maybe get you to plan alittle BIGGER, maybe use a little more room, and not make the same mistake I did.

But our BYC buddy Jeff from Brunty Farms says that meaties are different than my eggers and duals. I would tend to believe what Jeff says after all he is in the business and has extensive experience.

Cold and nasty weather!!!!!
I here you Bro, 44* and raining all day. You must be closer to us than I thought.

29

 

[Tad]

we are six miles off the border down in the very southern tip, I have 4 of these 30 X 96 shade houses, I only need 2 to keep the tree farm stocked, I also have a 96 X 100 so if it works, I can always adapt another shade house or 2 to the chicken operation, I just got a sportsman 1202, I am selling chicks as fast as I can hatch them...

mid to high 50's here today. but we have had in the last 2 days 3 inches of rain!!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Quote:
It's amazing how much they eat isn't it? What did you plant in that run?

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
It's amazing how much they eat isn't it? What did you plant in that run?

I planted range rape, turnips, gulf coastal rye grass, and alicia clover. The clover has not done very well, it seems to be very slow to sprout and it gets crowded out quickly. Also in the run is bahia grass, comes up naturally, chickens will graze on it, but it's some tough stuff.
Note on the rye grass, why I don't know. But if you got one sprig of rye grass and 200 sq ft of everything else, them chickens will knock themselves out to get it. Next time I reseed I am either going to replant 100% rye grass or no rye grass at all.