Good morning from Michigan!

[rachelanne]

Okay, it's almost afternoon, but I say "Good Morning" all day long. My name is Rachel and my husband and I and our two little ones are raising a buncha poultry. We find it crazy rewarding and entertaining! We've enclosed and transformed our gazebo into a coop and their run is about 1/4 acre large. I joined because I love reading everyone's posts, but I've been unable to find an answer to my question thus far. It's getting on in the summer season now and I'd like to start foraging for greens to dry to feed our flock once the snow flies. I know they like clover and dandelion greens, but I'm not sure what else. We have such a plethora of wild greens at our disposal but I don't know 1.) which to pick and dry and 2.) how to dry it, exactly.
Anyone have tips for us?
Thank you in advance and I look forward to being a part of the BYC family!
~Rachel

 

[Kevin565]

, Love your avatar

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. I'm not sure on the drying of greens but I dry basil by hanging it up in bunches in a dry area. Good luck.

 

[J-Sanders]

Welcome!

Pick what you have watched the chickens eat during the summer and to dry make small bunches with the stems tied with twine and hang from a rod in a cool dry place. The less humidity the better but too hot and you cook them out. We don't get the snow down here but I did live in the mitten for ten years when I was young. I am not sure how well the dried greens will be received by your chickens so I would definitely have a back up plan. I use alfalfa hay and mealworms to supplement their forage but I don't really have a non-growing season.


Jim

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Rachel, and

! I really like your idea of feeding your birds dried greens in the winter! Best of luck to you!!

 

[Smiths]

hello and

from oklahoma

 

[rachelanne]

Thank you everybody! Y'all are so sweet. We just rescued 3 cookies n' cream looking bantams, one being a rooster, (unbeknownst to us!) two Isa Browns, a Barred Rock bantam rooster and an...Australorp-ish hen. They are currently establishing the new pecking order, but it would appear the ducks are in charge for now. Thank you for your tips on the herbs and greens, please keep them coming.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[Roxannemc]

HI THERE FROM MO!