Giving my chickens their own garden to destroy

[azygous]

I've always grown veggies for my chickens, but eating them is just half the joy for them. Trampling, smashing, uprooting, laying general waste is the real fun. So several years ago, I sectioned off an area that's strictly for the chickens' pleasure and gratification. And I get a lot of enjoyment watching them have so much fun.

Back in the fall, I cleaned out all the dead stuff and sowed seeds - hollyhocks, flax, chard, lettuce, alfalfa, and even a cannabis plant. All are edible. I placed straw over the seeded space and closed it off to the chickens so they wouldn't scratch up all the seeds. Snow seated the seeds and at the first hint of spring, the seeds germinated and got off to an early start without my lifting a finger in effort. And today I opened it up for their enjoyment since the plants have established decent root systems and height. I live at 7500 feet elevation, by the way.

The secret to having a chicken garden is to fence it off until the plants are firmly rooted and have grown to a height that will resist total decimation.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Very nice, they look so happy!

 

[townchicks]

That's awesome. I did something similar, except I didn't sow any seeds, just let the weeds take over. It lasted about a month, before it was down to dirt. We don't get rain in summer here, and I don't water weeds, so everything pretty much dies off in a few months anyway. It will be interesting to see how this does, I hope you will keep us updated.

 

[azygous]

Here's a tip I want to share. Go to the cereal aisle and pick up a bag of Red Mill flax seeds. They are 100% viable and you get a ton of them for just a few bucks as opposed to a measly twelve seeds in a flower seed packet. Buy alfalfa sprouting seeds for cheap and plant them.

If you want to raise some melons, don't buy melon seeds. Buy watermelon and cantaloupe, enjoy consuming them, and then plant the generous amount of seeds that come in the melons. You can do this for corn and squash, as well. The seed industry is the biggest rip-off. Don't fall for it.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Here's a tip I want to share. Go to the cereal aisle and pick up a bag of Red Mill flax seeds. They are 100% viable and you get a ton of them for just a few bucks as opposed to a measly twelve seeds in a flower seed packet. Buy alfalfa sprouting seeds for cheap and plant them.

If you want to raise some melons, don't buy melon seeds. Buy watermelon and cantaloupe, enjoy consuming them, and then plant the generous amount of seeds that come in the melons. You can do this for corn and squash, as well. The seed industry is the biggest rip-off. Don't fall for it.

For the melons, is it advisable to buy organic in order to have viable seeds? I know that a lot of produce is treated not to sprout early (potatoes), so that you'd want to buy organic and presumably untreated. I doubt that it's the same for fruits (like melons), but I'm curious what you do.

 

[thecatumbrella]

This is absolutely incredible. And you're right: destroying a rooted plant is half the fun! I'd love to do something like this.

 

[alinas2010]

So great! What a wonderful turnout. Had no idea hollyhocks were edible, good to know. Also your rooster is really handsome!

 

[azygous]

Organic produce is another marketing scheme that I don't take seriously. Regular produce is just as good. As far as I know, they do not monkey with organic foods beyond refraining from dangerous pesticides, so seeds should not be affected in any way.

I also harvest the seeds from all my gardening endeavors. Each year I plant using seeds from the previous season, and over time, I get plants that have adapted very well for the soil and climate, also resistant to insects.

Many people are surprised that you can do this.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

Here's a tip I want to share. Go to the cereal aisle and pick up a bag of Red Mill flax seeds. They are 100% viable and you get a ton of them for just a few bucks as opposed to a measly twelve seeds in a flower seed packet. Buy alfalfa sprouting seeds for cheap and plant them.

If you want to raise some melons, don't buy melon seeds. Buy watermelon and cantaloupe, enjoy consuming them, and then plant the generous amount of seeds that come in the melons. You can do this for corn and squash, as well. The seed industry is the biggest rip-off. Don't fall for it.

Strawberry seeds (from store bought strawberries) will sprout too, although they take ages to grow.

 

[Sally PB]

What a wonderful idea. I love the pictures.