The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

We get plenty of wind too... flat country with nothing to stop it let alone slow it down.

I'd love to plant regular plants that would be a natural wind block. I have a large plant on one side (rhodendrum) that when it gets bigger will provide shade and wind protection on the west side of the coop. I don't think the hostas, lilys & spearmint will do much as a wind block but it will provide some shade once they grow a little more. I am not a big fan of bushes tho they would make a great wind break.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Yes....they can do it on their own...

http://www.happy-days-farm.com/2014/09/wild-feral-chickens-in-bermuda-yes.html


Too bad we all have so many predators

 

[armorfirelady]

Yes....they can do it on their own...

http://www.happy-days-farm.com/2014/09/wild-feral-chickens-in-bermuda-yes.html


Too bad we all have so many predators

I saw wild chickens in the Bahamas while I was there. I wanted to try & see if I could find a nest full of eggs but my Mom said the locals would think I was weird lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

I don't like permanent plants either...for the windbreak that is. I'm thinking of some tall grasses so that if I don't like them it's not like I have to remove stumps to get rid of them.


A photo of my 19 wk Swedish Flower Hens




Didn't get a lot of photos today...but did get one of the black/w band who is behind in the group photo.


Black w/Band

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I don't like permanent plants either...for the windbreak that is. I'm thinking of some tall grasses so that if I don't like them it's not like I have to remove stumps to get rid of them.

Grasses may not make stumps, but some varieties can have HUMONGOUS root systems that will require a pickaxe to remove. Annual vines of some type (green beans, cucumbers, squash, various flowering vines, etc) might be a better solution.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I've never had grasses before so that's helpful to know. I am thinking of putting them along a front fence line for privacy. I don't really want to plant trees because I hate having to remove stumps later if we don't like them. I don't particularly like grasses...but I do like privacy

But...for the run, that is a good idea...planting some kind of vine. I wonder what vines the chickens may eat the leaves of? It could be double duty if they get some protection while they're young!

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm thinking of putting some tall grasses at the front of my property, between the road and the driveway, to soften the visual entry to the yard a bit. They would grow tall through the summer, could be left for the winter or cut down, and when the snow plow knocks them down, it won't be an issue. Also have 13 Bocking #4 Comfrey plants which will be planted here and there. They'll be multi purpose: fodder for the chickens, compost, and, depending on how well they grow, may actually be a bit of a low hedge at road edge. Plan to plant some where ever I put fruit trees.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Is the comfrey perenial?

 

[armorfirelady]

I planted an ornamental grass. I moved it because I didn't like where it was. Today I noticed as I was putting grommets on the last side of the billboard that the girls had dug it up :/ Spoiled brats!!!

Leah's mom the littles are adorable. Some day I would like to add a few to my flock.

Morning glory grows like the dickens and you can take it down in the fall. The kind I got a few years ago also reseeds itself. The variety I got also takes over tho.

How about nasturtium ? I have a variety that grows on a vine. I didn't know that when I bought the seeds but I am going to save the seeds so I can plant them again next year around the coop and entrance covers.

 

[Leahs Mom]

AFL - maybe I'll have some hatching eggs next spring! You seem to have a good number of broodies