Gardening for the birds.

[rivermedic]

I am quite fortunate to have much more garden capacity than I can use and I'd like to grow some stuff for my mixed flock of chickens, ducks, & geese. What are some good veggies to grow for this purpose. Also, if I grow a stand of feed corn will the birds be able to eat it this fall whole kernel off the cob or does it have to be milled?

 

[galanie]

Greens are always a good choice. Leaf lettuce makes a hit and with mine, sweet potatoes are yummy. They love just about anything from the garden though, including the plants you dont' want them to touch. Especially those. So be sure they can't access the garden or you'll have a disaster area.

They love tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, pumpkins, squash, the list goes on and on.

 

[kcjones]

i plant extra lettuce and endive for the chickens. they can't get enough. seems the endive helps with the calcium shells seem thicker since the greens started getting done

 

[galanie]

Oh and beet greens are rich in calcium. I forgot to mention before, mine ADORE swiss chard.

 

[ButchGood]

I planted a bunch of spinach in the run. I have it fenced off. When it gets big and starting to flower and bolt, I'm gonna let the birds have at it. I also planted sunflowers around the perimeter of the run. They can have the heads when they are ready.
I have 2 runs. The 27x26 I built for them for the spring and summer. In the fall and winter they get a huge vegetable garden that is attached to another 50 ft. diameter circular garden. Between an eighth and a quarter acre. They can have everything that's left over in those 2 gardens. I plan to do alot of planting in the run in the winter so they can have some stuff. Plant cold hardy early plants like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and peas. They should be happy with that.

 

[Den in Penn]

They will love to eat the whole kernels from the cobs. Makes a great distraction for them pecking at the ears. I grew Indian corn last year, plan to again.

 

[rivermedic]

Can they eat the beets or just the greens?

 

[kcjones]

mine didnt care for the beet greens, but liked most other greens

 

[galanie]

I don't think they'll eat the beets. Mine will eat the greens sometimes but sometimes not. I think it depends on what they have available. For instance right now, they have lots of green stuff all over to eat so they aren't too interested in any garden greens.

 

[rivermedic]

*bump*