New Veggie Garden... send in the chickens?

[Ellie]

I fenced, tilled and spread compost on a new vegetable garden area. It rained and now sunshine = WEEDS ..

looks like grass, but I know better!

If I send in the chickens, will they eat the green stuff? Their poop would be good, though I am using the garden next spring.

Any comments, advice would be helpful. The only other alternative, is to use Preen or something, but the garden is 40 x 70 and that would get pricey.

Thanks again,
Ellie

 

[peepkeeper]

Sure you can send in the chickens, if you don't mind them eating your veggies as well! Or are they harvested already? If so, bon apetite.

 

[chickengirlnm]

i say send them in - let the chickens have alittle fun !!

 

[rufus]

This brings back memories. My Dad used to let the chickens follow him as he plowed the field. They loved it. They also cleaned up the cut worms that were turned up.

Rufus

 

[speckledhen]

After I harvest all I want and remove whatever I think they shouldn't have or cover it (like rhubarb), I always send them in to till it up, eat larvae, etc. They are in Chickie-heaven when I do!

 

[SandraChick]

If I read it correctly....you're just preparing your garden area for next season.

If that is correct.....ABSOLUTELY let your chickens in. Make it easier on them and till it once more before you do. If you till it...they'll still get the new sprouts and keep "tilling" for you.

I've now learned to till my garden 3X 2-3 weeks apart before planting. It's amazing how few weeds I get after that. Where I can't till, I will use CLEAR plastic that is weighed down on the ends with some old lumber. It "cooks" all the weeds.




Sandra

 

[Ellie]

Yes, just preparing for next Spring. Brand new garden plot. Lots of work, but I hope worth it.

My chickens will be mini-tillers. How cool is that?

It is all fenced too so they will be safe "free ranging".

Ellie

 

[Ellie]

If I put a large box in the garden area, do you think they will run to it if a hawk comes at them? There is no shelter in there....

Ellie

 

[SandraChick]

Hawks are always a risk when free ranging......

Having cover helps- but there's no guarantee....

sandra

 

[Ellie]

Well, they did ok. I thought they would eat all the green stuff coming up but they rummaged through the leaves.

I did not give them their regular chick food and realized that they might want it at 3 today. Gosh, they wolfed it down. Now I feel bad..

I put them in the garden while I cleaned out their coop and insulated some more.

Ellie