Planting forage seed mix- Advice needed

[mburcim]

I just purchased several pounds of chicken forage blend seed mix from Peaceful Valley (www.groworganic.com) We live in Austin where the temps are still in the low 90s during the day and cooling off to 60 overnight. I would like some ideas about how to plant/water this seed. It is supposed to be irrigated and I am not sure what they mean by that. I could wait to call customer service tomorrow, but I'm hoping that BCYers can guide me so I can get this done today! Thanks

 

[AnthonyT]

Any seed mix is going to need water to get it started. The ladino, trefoil, and alfalfa are all perennial and should come back each year. Ladino will grow well in TX if it gets enough water, it can survive drought well but will not produce forage well in drought conditions. The trefoil can be slow to establish and should be allowed to make seed at least once per year to keep it ging well. Trefoils are also more adapted to areas north of where you are at. Alfalfa can be tough to establish on some soils and most varieties are adapted to areas more northernly than TX. The buckwheat and flax will not come back as they are annuals. The cowpeas also will not come back and do not do well on all soils. Other then the flax this blend is basically a deer food plot mix. The cowpeas also will not live well into the winter (even in TX) as they do not tolerate cooler temps. The flax may not live either. Best to wait until spring to plant.
I know this blend is supposed to raise Omega-3 levels in eggs, but there is plenty of evidence that shows just having pasture available will raise the Omega-3 levels significantly. At $150/ 50lbs this is a very expensive seed blend - right up there with the best alfalfas and annual ryegrasses.
For the Austin area I would recommend these forages:
Annual Ryegrass - does well in south, Gulf coast, reseeds well
Alfalfa - only varieties adapted to the deep south
Arrowleaf Clover
Crimson Clover
Subterranean Clover
White Clover (smaller leaved Ladinos or Dutch white probably better for chickens)
Bahiagrass - warm season
Crabgrass - yes, it is best known for being a weed, but it is also a great pasture forage, highly nutritious
Those would be a few that should grow well there. Some are more toleant of drought than others. Some of these in a mixture will cost more than the "chicken forage" but you can be sure that the plants will grow where you are at. That is the problem with mixes. Unless they are created for a specific location they are made with a little of this and that so that something will grow when you plant it. Rarely do all of the seed live up to their full potential. Also remember that not all forages will grow in all soil conditions. A soil test can save a lot of frustration and wasted money.

 

[mburcim]

I can't thank you enough for that information. I might plant a small area with this seed as a test (I only purchased 4 lbs.) and supplement the area with some of the other recommendations you have made. The soil test is a great idea and we'll do that as well. Thanks again!

 

[grateful]

Any new advise on this topic? i have an acre for the chickens to forage. I live in Mt so our summers are a bit short.
Travis

 

[AltonaAcres]

When should I plant my packet of chicken forage mix? It is from ZellaJake Farm and Garden on Etsy. Currently here in CO it is around 50s or 60s daily and 40s at night. Still drops below freezing at night every few weeks. There will for sure be more snow at some point.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

When should I plant my packet of chicken forage mix? It is from ZellaJake Farm and Garden on Etsy. Currently here in CO it is around 50s or 60s daily and 40s at night. Still drops below freezing at night every few weeks. There will for sure be more snow at some point.

I’d check the seed packet for instructions, but at a minimum I’d guess “after last risk of frost”.

 

[Folly's place]

Do be careful which rye grasses you plant, as some are more resistant to fungus infestation than others (ergot). Check before planting!
Mary

 

[Mtnboomer]

I’d check the seed packet for instructions, but at a minimum I’d guess “after last risk of frost”.

Not necessarily. Frost seeding is an excellent way to obtain seed to soil contact for germination. I seed many clover varieties in February here in VA where we can have snow as late as April and frost in early May.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Id recommend going down to your local AG Co-op and asking. They will carry the seeds of what grows well in your area and soneone there will be able to answer your questions.

 

[centrarchid]

I try to keep chickens of the seeded ground until plants have a little size to them. In my setting the chickens have a strong preference for the seedlings which can greatly degrade value of planting later.