Safe fast growing plants

[ChickKeeper]

Hello,
After Alice had a crop impaction last year, she has been banned from grass. She loves greens so I want to keep the area she has access to planted, but I am uncertain about the best choices.

Nothing too long or stringy. Fast growing and drought tolerant preferred since I am in AZ.

I realize that I will probably have to replant often I just want things they will enjoy.

Thank you!

 

[Huntmaster]

Hello,
After Alice had a crop impaction last year, she has been banned from grass. She loves greens so I want to keep the area she has access to planted, but I am uncertain about the best choices.

Nothing too long or stringy. Fast growing and drought tolerant preferred since I am in AZ.

I realize that I will probably have to replant often I just want things they will enjoy.

Thank you!

I would think clover would be a good option there is many different types. White clover doesn't grow tall and would cover the ground well. I reseed different clovers in my pens it is very good for them. Not sure how heat or drought tolerant?

 

[CanadaEh]

After Alice had a crop impaction last year, she has been banned from grass. She loves greens so I want to keep the area she has access to planted, but I am uncertain about the best choices.

I though this could only happen if you bring grass to the chickens, they seem only break tiny pieces when pecking on growing grass

Nothing too long or stringy. Fast growing and drought tolerant preferred since I am in AZ.

our chickens love comfrey we planted just outside their run. It has very deep roots so you might be able to grow it in part shade.

I realize that I will probably have to replant often I just want things they will enjoy.

I would do clover or radishes putting some mesh 3-4" above it so they could eat tops of the greens and could not scratch roots

 

[ChickKeeper]

I though this could only happen if you bring grass to the chickens, they seem only break tiny pieces when pecking on growing grass

Most chickens are perfectly fine, Alice tries to find the longest grass she can then breaks it off as low as she can so she gets a long piece... she is a very sweet chicken, but is lacking in common sense. We watched her repeatedly try this (while standing over her to take away the long pieces). Since we don't care to go through another impaction, grass was cleared and a large run added to the backyard to keep her and her sister safe (her sister, Margo, eats grass normally and doesn't have problems).

Thank you for the plant suggestions!

 

[CanadaEh]

Alice tries to find the longest grass she can then breaks it off as low as she can so she gets a long piece...

a thick welded wire mesh (such as used in shelving) elevated over the grass patch would only allow to peck the tops of the grass