Gardening with chickens (and other poultry)

[phalenbeck]

We are 1/2 done with a 2 x 10 pvc tractor. We can put as many birds as we feel, including the CornishX. With the side screen this should avoid them eating the plants. We should never have to weed between the rows, and the poop will be beside the plants. Should work.

 

[Erica]

Funny you should ask. I've just set up a permaculture chicken forum because I couldn't find a forum with an appropriate section.

It was a lot of trouble to go to just to chat about chicken gardens and organics.

 

[randishinney]

I'm the same way with touching the bugs. My dad came over and started squishing them all in his hand and I just couldn't take it! Even pulling them off to feed to the chickens was too much for me! I felt like they were crawling all over me for days! I'm going to have to order that book and check it out. Love this thread! I think it's a great idea!

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[applegal]

Great idea for a thread. Thanks!
Pest control was definitely a factor when I decided to get chickens. Every year I'm overrun with potato beetles and the chickens won't touch 'em. Figures! I just knock them off with a stick into a bucket of soapy water with a little veggie oil. I imagine the hornworms may be a bit harder to knock off. Disgusting things!

I'm interested if anyone has ideas for a good green manure crop that the chickens will turn over for me and eat when it's ready. Clover or alfalfa? I've been eyeballing the Johnny's catalog and can't decide.

 

[NYboy]

Glad I found this thread, Sun I tryed to plant some seedling . It was a nice afternoon so I let the girls out. Penny who is my friendest hen came over to supervise, every hole I dug she had to jump in and strach.I have a feeling flowers are out, I will have to plant trees and shurbs.

 

[GardenState38]

I'm interested if anyone has ideas for a good green manure crop that the chickens will turn over for me and eat when it's ready. Clover or alfalfa? I've been eyeballing the Johnny's catalog and can't decide.

I purchased a few pounds of Chicken Forage Blend at groworganic.com to seed in my backyard where my girls range. It creates what Jessie Bloom terms as "Eco-Turf". Puts nitrogen into the soil and Omega-3's into the hens!

It consists of:
Bison intermediate ryegrass
Tetraploid perennial ryegrass
Common Flax
Buckwheat
Tetraploid annual ryegrass
Japanese millet
Red clover, OMRI approv. coating
Strawberry clover, OMRI coat
Alfalfa, OMRI coat
Ladino clover OMRI coat
Broadleaf Trefoil OMRI coat

 

[bnjrob]

This Chicken Forage Blend sounds good, I think I'm gonna have to try some.

 

[chickmashnoon]

http://sustainableseedco.com/Poultry-Package.html

Here's a link to a sorta similar blend from sustainable seed. I don't think it has as much grasses as the Groworganic mix, but it's really neat that seed companies are starting to take us chickenlovers into account

 

[randishinney]

We were going to plant alfalfa between all our rows and raised beds. I'm starting to think the chicken mix would be better. Would it help keep the weeds down and also still be okay to walk on?

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[GardenState38]

We were going to plant alfalfa between all our rows and raised beds. I'm starting to think the chicken mix would be better. Would it help keep the weeds down and also still be okay to walk on?

It all depends on what you consider "weeds"

Some would call the clover, etc. that are included in the seed/forage mixes "weeds" themselves.
Since owning chickens, I've come to realize that nearly every green plant that springs up in my lawn has some value. The dandelions that drive my neighbors crazy (they all have meticulously manicured lawns, brimming in pesticides and herbicides), for instance, I see as valuable chicken chow!
I personally, don't mind if my backyard lawn (where my chickens are tractored) is completely "weed-free" and 98.9% Scott's Kentucky Bluegrass, as long as it's green when mowed and supplies my girls with maximum nutrition and enjoyment. I've always had a more informal, cottage gardening style, and have always shied away from chemical pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer use, so this type of turf fits right in with my sensibilities.
If you keep mowing and/or clipping (giving the clippings to your hens), you should be able to keep a nice, green mat that looks attractive enough.

My Pet Chicken also sells a seed mix called "Chicken Salad". I bought a bunch of packets and throughout the winter was able to keep the greens going in a cold frame (it was a very mild winter, so I don't know if it would have worked so well otherwise). It's less of a "turf" mix and more of a broadleaf mixture, with purple top turnips making up a big proportion of it (hens LOVE those leaves!)