planting forage for free rangers . . .

[Illia]

So this topic I'm really getting into, and found something interesting. . . I have true Araucanas, and so while looking through the forum, I came across a thread about feeding Quinoa to Araucanas and what it does. I of course planted a LOT of Quinoa in my pasture, and by the time my Araucanas are adults, the Quinoa should be mature. . . Anyway, apparently - Quinoa is good for improving the blue of their eggs. It is native to the region of where Araucanas originated, and thus was a natural part of their diet.

So, I recently planted even more Amaranth and Quinoa as well as some extra wheat and a couple oats. The extras of all these grains will be stored for future uses.

Another nice thing - While planting all that, I found a lot of fireweed popping up. I never knew that stuff is packed with Vitamin C!

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
Hi,
Do you recall where you read Quinoa is good for improving the blue egg color? I have heard that about sweet potato's but not Quinoa.

I am Quinoa obsessed....Feeed me... feed me more information....

ON

 

[wclawrence]

Don't forget the Daikon Radish. It grows really fast and can do a lot on 30 days. And it is full of vitamins and minerals.

 

[SunnyChic]

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.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2117071038_7e061df11e.jpg

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.

Alan, what awesome hoop coops; I LOVE them!

I know it's off topic, but could you post some closer views of those coops?​

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I certainly don't mind going off topic! Alan please do!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
OK, here they are. This is the Mk. III version which is the latest variation of the basic design. It might be possible to make them prettier. I am more interested in function than form so don't need yard art.

They work well and can hold up to 10-12 dual purpose hens. Their drawback is that they are heavy so you have to be very conscious of keeping the weight down as you put them together.

.....Alan.

 

[Garden Daddy]

I have 2-week old, 10-day old and 6-day old chicks with 4-more (Silver Laced Wyandottes) yet to hatch from my local feed store here in Jackson, TN. I still have all of them in the brooder, with coop and run finished and ready for them to get loose in a few weeks. But I saved an area in the run that I have sown some loose leaf lettuce and Nasturtiums together. We humans can eat the Nasturtiums and so can chickens. So when I am ready to turn them loose in their own area they will have a feast of fresh greens to dine on along with their chick starter/grower, oatmeal, etc. Then when I am ready and they have eaten a part of that little patch down I have it fixed where I can block off a part of that patch and re-sow while they are still eating on 1/2 of their patch and then keep the cycle going to give them something fresh all the time. Hey a few packs of seeds or seeds from your co-op will not cost that much and they will thank you for it in the future when they are healthy, happy and laying you the best organic eggs you WON'T have to pay $3.00-plus a dozen for. Good luck!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Alan those are really great. Couldn't you mount four wheels on the corners (like wheel barrow wheels) in a way where you could lift the coop about 6 inches and drop in into a slot for the wheels and then roll it, then lift out of the slot and drop down to be stationary? Can you picture what I'm saying? I think I am better at imagining than describing.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Garden Daddy, thanks for the response and welcome to BYC!!!! It sounds like you have it worked out well.
My birds have plenty of greens, what I am aiming for is true forage pasture for them; grains that will reseed, paired with legumes that will provide nitrogin and also high protien content greens such as turnip. I have enough birds that they would destroy any size plot of lettuce and flowers in one afternoon.
heres a pic of a few of them them nibbling the lawn today

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Hi,
Do you recall where you read Quinoa is good for improving the blue egg color? I have heard that about sweet potato's but not Quinoa.

I am Quinoa obsessed....Feeed me... feed me more information....

ON

lol I too am Quinoa and Amaranth obsessed. . . Found it here. I hope it really is so, because my Ameraucanas too will need it.

And go figure. . . Found out we have another packet of Quinoa, so I planted that and some wheat too.

Now you need to show me where you heard that on sweet potatoes. . . I crave for more foodsources for the chickens, especially helpful ones.