I pasture my chickens in 2 separate areas, as well as a run I have for them. The pasture areas I use are 90X100. One is the goat pen and one is my garden. They can go in the garden to clean up for me. I feel that way saves me on the feed, but I am wanting a 3rd pasture area for the winter and when they wipe it all out, plant some grain that I can use as their feed, hopefully for the year. I am thinking I could grow and harvest that, while they are cleaning up for me and in the goat pen and let them back in after I pick up the grain.
I was figuring on corn and either soy or cowpeas, growing up on the corn. My problem is that my husband doesn't think I will get enough grain for it to be worth my effort. The area will be roughly half the size of my pens, so I am looking at about 45X50 ft. There is one big cypress tree that will block some sun, but for the most part all of this area will get at least a 8 to 10 hours of direct and indirect sunlight.
Now I have at present 61 chickens, all total, but like I said, I pasture them, and give them table scraps, so I don't rely on grain alone.
Now for those of you that grow your own grain, do you think I can grow enough corn and peas or beans to make a marked difference in my feed? How many LBs would you feel I can produce with that amount of space. I am very good with growing things and so is my husband, but I only did it for the family and not for the animals.
I was figuring on corn and either soy or cowpeas, growing up on the corn. My problem is that my husband doesn't think I will get enough grain for it to be worth my effort. The area will be roughly half the size of my pens, so I am looking at about 45X50 ft. There is one big cypress tree that will block some sun, but for the most part all of this area will get at least a 8 to 10 hours of direct and indirect sunlight.
Now I have at present 61 chickens, all total, but like I said, I pasture them, and give them table scraps, so I don't rely on grain alone.
Now for those of you that grow your own grain, do you think I can grow enough corn and peas or beans to make a marked difference in my feed? How many LBs would you feel I can produce with that amount of space. I am very good with growing things and so is my husband, but I only did it for the family and not for the animals.