Letting chickens "mow" garden cover crops?

[Mrs. Mucket]

We have winter rye and peas growing on our vegetable garden as a cover crop. Instead of mowing or tilling it in this spring, I'm wondering about letting the chickens have at it. Does anyone do this? How tall would you let the rye/peas get before letting the chickens out?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sort of. In the fall, when we've harvested everything we want, we loose the "hounds"!!!

They do a pretty good job of mowing everything to stalks over the course of a week or two. If you choose to allow them the privilege, they're sure to oblige.

 

[riverman]

But I thought a major purpose of the cover crops was to have all the fresh green to till in the beds?.?. I guess your just trading that for chicken poop and the little tilling they do though!