growing greens in winter

[mschwen]

My girls get run around the yard inside a movable fencing and they really love to eat the grass and weeds. Since they are used to having the greens and I have only a small space to grow some in the winter for them, any ideas on how to grow enough for three birds fo the entire winter? Like maybe a way of using the homemade brood as a small inexpensive version of a green house? I really don't want them to be unhappy this winter. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Tati]

Hmmh! That's a good question. I hadn't thought of it.

Chickens probably don't need greens in winter, but they would surely appreciate them. We have a little green house, which we discontinued using because it was too much work to keep it watered and taken care of.

When I was a kid, our chickens didn't get any greens in winter, other than vegetable scraps from the kitchen (outer leaves of lettuce, etc.). As an adult, we only had chickens twice. They only lasted for a few weeks before predators got them.

We got chickens again, last spring, and built them predator-proof enclosures (one for summer, one for winter).

Maybe I can talk my husband into growing some winter-greens for the chickens in the neglected greenhouse. He'll probably bulk at the problem to keep anything watered in freezing temperatures.

You could try growing something on the window sill. Other than that, buy lots of lettuce and share it with your chickens. (Make sure to wash it. You don't want to feed your chickens pesticides.)

 

[rIrs roost]

Winter rye grass maybe? Just make sure that it's safe for them to eat. I would think so.

 

[rIrs roost]

Winter rye grass maybe? Just make sure that it's safe for them to eat. I would think so.

Nevermind just seen where it's not good for them on one thread

 

[Tati]

Where did you find this post? I'd be interested to read it.

 

[eleaserek]

I grow fodder for mine now, using barley and wheat, and plan on continuing this winter. You could definitely grow it in a brooder too. I just use mason jars to sprout in my windowsill at the moment, but plan on building something bigger down the road.

 

[rIrs roost]

Where did you find this post? I'd be interested to read it.

It was on here. I searched (chicken eating winter rye ). There's several posts on.it. hope this helps.

 

[Hollis dollis]

I've heard of fodder feeding with barley. I was thinking about giving it a try this winter. I was planning on making a shelving unit to put clear trays on, and just parking it in front of the window...

 

[shortgrass]

It was on here. I searched (chicken eating winter rye ). There's several posts on.it. hope this helps.

I grow winter rye, and winter peas.

Fodder system would be great for the old brooder. Grow lights, keep it from freezing, and a few trays for seeding in is all you need! Oats, barley, and wheat grow the best in fodder, IMO... You can also grow bean sprouts and other greens in the trays as well.

Some ideas for different sprouts and greens, aside from the norm of grains for ya
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-245-sprouts.aspx

 

[mschwen]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I will definitely be giving some a try.