planting forage for free rangers . . .

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I'm getting some clean topsoil in and going to seed it and let go for 30 days before putting free ranging meat bird project on it.
Currently considering the seed mix to lay down, I want greens they will like, be healthy and grow at differnt heights/stages. My ideas so far:

Clover
alfalfa
turnip
red wheat
oats
barley
sunflower?

input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[wvjule]

I've been looking for Comfrey plants/seeds. I've read that chickens love it! Please post if you find any. Thanks!

 

[digitS']

Katy, the clover and alfalfa aren't going to make much growth in 30 days.

I think sand hill preservation's ideas for brooder yard greens are good ones. Altho' I haven't tried them.

The grains also seem a good choice but I've just grown wheat, millet, and sunflowers for a seed crop.

Steve

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

thanks! I'll take a look into what sandhill has . . . then I'll take a pic of the 30 days growth alfalfa in the 40 acres next to me - you may be surprised

The birds love it, but my main reason for planting it is for the nitrogin it fixes in the soil for the other grain crops.

 

[digitS']

. . . but, they are such tiny seeds!

Okay, mustard and turnip seeds are tiny, too . . .

Steve

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
Hi,
I bet that 40 acres next to you was not just seeded this year. Both alfalfa and clover grow fast! once established.
Seed is very expensive, so most folks let the plants get established first, prior to using them as pasture. Heck once clover and alfalfa get their long deep roots in even chickens will have a hard time killing them. I think of them as plants for a long term pasture.

The grains on the other hand would make a great 30 day green crop for the birds.

ON

 

[WoodlandWoman]

For fresh green feed, you could add some purslane, chickweed, chard, collards, kale, maybe some spinach, beets, and a little parsley.

I like chard, because it does great in cold or hot weather. It's a relative of beets, but the greens get much larger. Plus, it tastes great and looks good planted around the house. My husband, chickens and I all love it. Collards hold up in the heat, kale tastes better in cooler weather or after a frost. Either hold up to some snow, as does parsley. Spinach bolts in hot weather and likes it cool. Purslane and chickweed have always been favorites of chickens. You can by seeds for them.

For letting go to seed, some quinoa would be good. It has a much better amino acid profile than grain. Maybe some amaranth. Chickens will be pretty happy eating wheat or oats as grass, without letting it go to seed. I give mine wheat grass during our long, snowy winters, along with alfalfa sprouts.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

seed is really cheap or free around here. Beets, wheat, alfalfa & rape are prevelant - heck I was given a 5 gallon bucket of turnip seed this week, that's probably enough to plant 40 acres. Quinoa and Amaranth are interesting ideas and I am sure I can get sugar beet seed for free too.
I checked out that Sandhill site, thier use of millett is interesting too.

Digits, do your chickens destroy your sunflower plants?

 

[digitS']

Katy, the gardens are in a location the chickens can't get to. So, their foraging is confined to the backyard lawn.

I grow some things especially for them each year but they are harvested and carried home.

Steve

 

[A.T. Hagan]

You are in a very different climate from me so what I grow in the winter here would probably be a summer crop for you.

That's a mix of oats, soft wheat, mustard, and turnips. It took them months to eat it all to the ground and they did. Every scrap of it. Which was OK as it would not take the summer heat anyway. Worked great for me. I broadcast it with a lawn type fertilizer spreader then used a rake to cover.

.....Alan.