Native grasses?

[Folly's place]

In a big area, chickens are likely to avoid the toxic stuff. In a smaller fenced area, they could get in trouble.
We all have toxic plants in our yards! Japanese yew is one of the very worst, and it's everywhere.
My birds ignore the foxglove, lily of the valley, rhodies, and azalias. I could wish that they ate the garlic mustard!
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I had a huge stand of mint before I got chickens. I don't know if they demolished it by eating it or wallowing in it, but the net result was chickens ten, mint zero. I now have a nice mint garden closer to the house totally fenced off from the hens.

I have established hostas near the house on the north side, unfenced; the chickens show no interest in them. Nor in any of my bulb perennials: iris, daffodils, lilies, etc. But we have no vegetable garden. Instead we have chickens, lol. And what they don't eat, they scratch and what they don't scratch they "waller," or dust bathe in. Chickens love kitchen scraps and they like it even better fresh. As in, growing! You can either fence your chickens in or fence them out, but you will need fences if you want both chickens and garden vegetables.

 

[fldiver97]

I am chuckling reading your comment.
I would think that they would love the taller native grasses as it would offer some sense of protection from predator eyes. Since my priority isn't for a "golf course lawn" and geared more towards a more natural environment for me and my charges I could care less about a little thinness that will fill in if cordoned off for a few weeks.
As I understand, my breed selections won't be big on flying, so blocking access should be a lot easier. ( Basque - Bielefelders and Light Sussex )
I will be planting some berry bushes in their run and in the yard. I am also considering planting a separate chickens garden, specifically to offer them.
Thoughts?

I wouldn’t plant bushes in the run, they will be destroyed in no time.... if you have larger established bushes it may work. I have different varieties of native viburnum, nanny berry, Indian coral berry that are sturdy and alive after a decade with chickens. However, they are outside the run and older. The girls get out in the backyard most of the day. I’d suggest to incorporate existing shrubs if possible, put logs and natural branches at different levels inside the coop. Any enrichment is great! I used to have gooseberry and blueberry bushes in the back .... got chickens and poof - they were gone

 

[Elfer]

My chickens love my lemon balm and wild violets, both very nutritious. Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family, so easy to grow. Once established, will make seed that you can just strew. Probably will grow anywhere, sun or shade. My chickens are free range, so planting anything involves distracting with snacks or waiting till gone to roost. Veggie garden gets fenced off, which is necessary for deer protection, anyway. Flowers, herbs, shrubs, fruits involve temporarily piling limbs (from 19 water oaks that surround the house and constantly drop limbs) loosely on top of and around plants, so they can't dig close. Doesn't always work, as they can scratch to China if they take the notion. It always helps if they aren't watching, as they like to help Mama garden. Disguising with leaves helps some. Once roots are established, they aren't so bad. And putting rocks around individual plants helps. I have some fig bushes near the coop that are just starting to produce. Since a lot will fall off and be inedible for me, I thought the chickens will like them. Hoping they won't fly up and eat them all. Berries sounds good.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Do you think that sowing in some winter grasses will help or should I just plan on feed from in the colder months?

I think you should plan to feed them year round...

Gary

 

[Eggcentric One]

I wouldn’t plant bushes in the run, they will be destroyed in no time.... if you have larger established bushes it may work. I have different varieties of native viburnum, nanny berry, Indian coral berry that are sturdy and alive after a decade with chickens. However, they are outside the run and older. The girls get out in the backyard most of the day. I’d suggest to incorporate existing shrubs if possible, put logs and natural branches at different levels inside the coop. Any enrichment is great! I used to have gooseberry and blueberry bushes in the back .... got chickens and poof - they were gone

Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but I can't help it. But I will heed your warning. Thanks!

 

[Eggcentric One]

I think you should plan to feed them year round...

Gary

Will do, especially until I can evaluate their intake over a year or two. I will not allow them to go hungry. They go hungry, we go hungry. Unacceptable.

 

[Willowspirit]

For grass areas seed companies sell various seed mixtures as forage grass. I plan to sow these in my chicken area to enhance the quality of their forage. I just have to keep them out of it so it can grow!

 

[Eggcentric One]

For grass areas seed companies sell various seed mixtures as forage grass. I plan to sow these in my chicken area to enhance the quality of their forage. I just have to keep them out of it so it can grow!

HAHA. I understand that. Fortunately I have a little time and as excited as I am to have them on site, I won't have them until their needs can be met. I have much work to do, so I am shooting for spring. Maybe I will have some natives taking off by then.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I would put something up ( tomato assists or temp fencing ) until they are established.

Great idea! Thanks.