fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[Shadrach]

I think some have learned to put their foot on it to hold it while they eat.

I've always thought it strange that most chickens don't understand they need to put a foot on the leaf to stop it moving.

 

[kattabelly]

I've always thought it strange that most chickens don't understand they need to put a foot on the leaf to stop it moving.

Watching them accidentally step on something, go to take a bite, and then step off it when they feel it pulling under their feet is definitely one of the more frustrating chicken behaviours to watch

 

[lightm]

Watching them accidentally step on something, go to take a bite, and then step off it when they feel it pulling under their feet is definitely one of the more frustrating chicken behaviours to watch

So true!!

 

[fuzzi]

Poor Esther...

Mid-December molt!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Esther, Bless her heart.

 

[BoundlessLove]

I’m really here to post a Sean Bean Christmas meme.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Interesting, I wonder if that was a type of perennial tree collard (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)? I've only read about those. Never seen them growing. The collards I grow are biennial. They will grow through the winter and set seed in spring.

I don't think this was the tree collard since Bonnies usually sells either "Georgia" or "Cabbage" Collards. I think the things just grew and kept going.

 

[NanaK]

I've always thought it strange that most chickens don't understand they need to put a foot on the leaf to stop it moving.

I don't understand it either. In my flock it doesn't appear to be age related. I have birds from 6 months to 11 years. Some do it, some don't.
They all seem to get their fill.

 

[NanaK]

I don't think this was the tree collard since Bonnies usually sells either "Georgia" or "Cabbage" Collards. I think the things just grew and kept going.

Collard plants can get big! Very hardy too.
I used to start them late winter. They would grow all year and by the following spring set seed. The plants would be huge.

Now I plant them late summer. The bugs are bad in the summer and love leafy greens. Growing them through fall and winter I don't have to fight the bugs. Gives me some greens for the chickens in winter too.

I have a big pile in the kitchen right now. All washed up and ready to cook. No bugs and the frosts always sweetens them up. Some will go in the freezer and we'll have some for dinner tonight.
Nice to have on hand for a quick meal without all the work.

 

[fuzzi]

Collard plants can get big! Very hardy too.
I used to start them late winter. They would grow all year and by the following spring set seed. The plants would be huge.

Now I plant them late summer. The bugs are bad in the summer and love leafy greens. Growing them through fall and winter I don't have to fight the bugs. Gives me some greens for the chickens in winter too.

I have a big pile in the kitchen right now. All washed up and ready to cook. No bugs and the frosts always sweetens them up. Some will go in the freezer and we'll have some for dinner tonight.
Nice to have on hand for a quick meal without all the work.

I harvest collard leaves all winter, mainly for my chickens. That way they get greens even in freezing months.

In Spring when it's almost time to plant other crops I pull up the collards, roots, flowers, everything, and give them once a day to my flocks.