Plants chickens love?

[itstartedwith2]

So along with the bigger coop my husband and I are building I want to start some plants to put around it that my chickens would enjoy. I already started some inside Parsley, cabbage, dill, and broccoli. I just pulled 4 off a list and was wondering if any of you guys have certain plants your chickens enjoy?

 

[JJSS89]

Honestly grass is the thing that they consistently should have access to. Don't overlook that.

Alfalfa also has great nutrients, barley is cheap and easy to grow, clover is also easy and very healthy.

 

[itstartedwith2]

Thank you yes my plants are going to be on the out side of their coop and run fenced in as well so that way I can limit their access. I don't want them to over do it and even kill off the plants by scratching or pecking too much
They are allowed to the entire farm as long as I'm home to make sure no predators come in the yard

 

[Garjzla]

So along with the bigger coop my husband and I are building I want to start some plants to put around it that my chickens would enjoy. I already started some inside Parsley, cabbage, dill, and broccoli. I just pulled 4 off a list and was wondering if any of you guys have certain plants your chickens enjoy?

The thing my chickens love the most is grass. Sometimes when I'm out of pellets and scraps I just give them loads of grass for breakfast, they literally DEVOUR it.

 

[Kikiriki]

Sweet potato leaves from the kind they sell in the store. Nutritious and they like it, plus it grows fast, is undemanding, and is easy to spread by allowing a piece of vine to root. You can also eat it...not much flavor, but it is so heathy it is worth adding to salads. And because it vines, you can also train it to create shade where you need it.

You can buy pieces of vine called "slips", or grow from a sprouted sweet potato from the grocery store.

Best thing is that at the end of summer, you get to harvest your own sweet potatoes, and you can feed those (cooked) to the chickens, too!



http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/gardening-with-freerange-chickens-for-dummies-chea.html

Nice link above.

 

[itstartedwith2]

Thank you guys I have a question I've read about people planting grass in their runs and covering it with a wire top. Does that really work? Has anyone tried it?

 

[Garjzla]

Thank you guys I have a question I've read about people planting grass in their runs and covering it with a wire top. Does that really work? Has anyone tried it?

I haven't, but I bet their little beaks would reach. Try covering the grass seeds with a big bin with holes on the top for the sun and rain to get through

 

[itstartedwith2]

That's a good idea! I think I'll try it and see what happens

 

[Garjzla]

That's a good idea! I think I'll try it and see what happens

Thanks! I usually just pick handfulls of grass, it's easier

 

[itstartedwith2]

Hahahaha when we mow the yard we use a bagger we put it on our garden but I always save them a load the go crazy!!!