How to plant a winter foraging area in the run

[jessbe]

I have an idea that I want to do in the winter to get my girls to eat greens and I found this blend that I want to plant http://www.groworganic.com/omega-3-chicken-forage-blend-irrigated.html but the description says that the flax can't be bitten by the frost so I don't know if this will work but here is want I wan to do..

In the run I want to build 2 areas so I can have continuous growth all year so I am wanting to build 1 little-ish greenhouse but have one side blocked off at a time.
Or
Build 2 greenhouses and just rotate.

I want to have the chickens to be able to walk in and out of the greenhouse and have enough room to move around in .

I'm sorry my idea isn't well typed but I can see it in my head of want I want to do I just can't explain it.

I have 8 hens and a rooster which probably won't be staying long.

What do you guys think? Any other ideas?

 

[aart]

Might be better off growing some fodder (grains grown about 4-6 inches high in bins with only water) inside the house for winter greens.

 

[jessbe]

Thank you! Should I plant 2 bins and rotate them?

I didn't think anyone would reply so thank you so much

 

[jessbe]

Thank you! Should I plant 2 bins and rotate them?

I didn't think anyone would reply so thank you so much

Might be better off growing some fodder (grains grown about 4-6 inches high in bins with only water) inside the house for winter greens.

 

[JayJo]

I bought some of that omega 3 mixture too. I was planning to plant it in flats and cover the flats with hardware cloth so that the chickens can eat the plants but not dig up the roots. Ill rotate 2-3 flats in and out of the coop. Big Lots has greenhouses for half price right now so I got a little one with 4 ashelves for $15 and that's where the flats will grow in between.

 

[VossFarm]

I bought some of that omega 3 mixture too. I was planning to plant it in flats and cover the flats with hardware cloth so that the chickens can eat the plants but not dig up the roots. Ill rotate 2-3 flats in and out of the coop. Big Lots has greenhouses for half price right now so I got a little one with 4 ashelves for $15 and that's where the flats will grow in between.

That's a good idea, I might try this also!

 

[aart]

Thank you! Should I plant 2 bins and rotate them?

I didn't think anyone would reply so thank you so much

You can do it like that, plant in dirt and rotate them, need to cover with mesh so they don't tear up the roots tho.

I just sprout the seed inside let it grow for 4-5-6 days, rinsing daily, and throw the whole bunch to them.
Have 2-6 trays going at once.

Google 'fodder', its a real fad or was several years ago.

 

[JayJo]

Fodder looks interesting but considering that the sprout seeds I buy for humans always go bad before I manage to plant them, I think it's unlikely that I'd actually be on the ball enough to plant chicken fodder.

I went back to Big Lots today and now their greenhouses are 75% off. I ended up getting a walk-in greenhouse for $17. So my new plan is to plant the whole floor of that greenhouse with the chicken pasture mix and then let the chickens in there to graze over the winter. http://www.biglots.com/p/c/greenhouses-outdoor/village-green-basic-walk-in-greenhouse-with-shelves

 

[jessbe]

No way $17 for that!! Wonder if my BL has one!!! That's an amazing price. I had one just like it but it was 2ft wide I think and we used it for 2 years. It wasn't very sturdy so we tied it to the fence so the wind didn't pick it up.

Fodder looks interesting but considering that the sprout seeds I buy for humans always go bad before I manage to plant them, I think it's unlikely that I'd actually be on the ball enough to plant chicken fodder.

I went back to Big Lots today and now their greenhouses are 75% off.  I ended up getting a walk-in greenhouse for $17.  So my new plan is to plant the whole floor of that greenhouse with the chicken pasture mix and then let the chickens in there to graze over the winter.  http://www.biglots.com/p/c/greenhouses-outdoor/village-green-basic-walk-in-greenhouse-with-shelves

 

[beginnergirl]

Sounds great! I just found the organic foraging mix and will plant mine in the ground and fence it until it is ready for the girls to graze. I live in Oregon do hopefully it will grow a bit before winter.

Fingers crossed the hens will like it!