What do you grow to feed the chickens??

[Arielle]

As weird as it is MY CHICKEN LOVES TO EAT CHICKEN

!!!!!! she would attack me for a piece of chicken

* she would jump on the sofa and grab the piece chicken and run away

Hi Pawkpawk!! Welcome to BYC!!

Yup chickens do like their meat!! Maybe you didn't know they were omnivorous?? Most people beleive they are vegetarians, but in reality the chickens are much healthier if they can get some "meat" in the ration. Can be worms, crickets, grasshoppers, fish meal, or dinner leftovers . . . . and they run away to guard their treasured treat!! lol

 

[Arielle]

Plot plantings of mix shad and sun grass seed, some annual rye in the mix; and oats. At $15 for 50 # of oats figure that is cheap feed. Will see how high it grows and if it is actually used by the chickens. Planting in patches.

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

Plot plantings of mix shad and sun grass seed, some annual rye in the mix; and oats. At $15 for 50 # of oats figure that is cheap feed. Will see how high it grows and if it is actually used by the chickens.  Planting in patches.

Will be interested to hear how it works out Arielle, please keep us posted.

How are you keeping the chickens out of the new seeded plots?

 

[Arielle]

Your question hits on the difficulty of planting!!!!

I have started planting in an area far from where they currently travel. Figure to get the grasses established before the girls discover it.

I have 2 rolls of electro netting-- but the service wire is not up and connected . . .

 

[AxisOfBeagles]

I've been wanting to grow various feed crops for the chickens, but the only way I can figure to do it is with the electric netting - but that makes the the whole plan pretty unattractive financially. Let us know how it goes - and post pics!

 

[Arielle]

I've been wanting to grow various feed crops for the chickens, but the only way I can figure to do it is with the electric netting - but that makes the the whole plan pretty unattractive financially. Let us know how it goes - and post pics!

Did you look at the pricing?? IT is rather inexpensive and lasts for years andyears and years!! WIth just a little maintenance o for the netting itself.

 

[chickadoodles]

I have been reading up on this thread and love it! Arielle I have heard you talking about growing stuff for your chickens since last year. So I decided to try it.
I went out by the runs and planted some lettuce, spinach, cucumbers and squash so far. I have a few herbs that I am going to plant as well. I am excited to see how this goes. I also just planted some watermelon and cucumbers and okra. So what we don't eat or freeze I will give to the chickens.
But I love to freeze the cantaloupe so I can have fresh fruit in the winter.

Can you all suggest any other things I might grow around the run?

 

[Arielle]

SOme one gave me a link-- thought I had saved it --
nastrutiums
squash flowers
clover

I found a number of winter squashes that were used as livestock fodder--- though p robably ANY squash is a boon.

Need to search history and see if it is there.

 

[Arielle]

THis is a note from Wlater Jefferies with a suggestion on what to grow --

To figure out the right grass mix for your area, start by looking at what local dairy farmers are using for pasture. Add in some cereals, millets and lots of legumes. In our cool climate I plant rape and kale in the fields. You’re climate in Mass is a little warmer and it sounds like your soil is similarly thin like ours. I would recommend going with a wide variety of seed types and then observing which ones thrive on your land. It may even be that in different parts you will have different species thriving. Then as needed plant more of the ones that thrive. Your county extension agency may have some suggestions and are worth using as a basis to experiment from. Do get a soil test done so you know your profile.

 

[Arielle]

HEre it is with the original post from Ronott1--


Get some plants out where they forage that will give them calcium:

Squash blossoms
dandelion
clover

All are high in calcium. I bet you could get some clover going out there. IF the Chooks kill stuff quickly line mine do, you can put together some forage boxes and cover it with wire--they can only eat the tops as the plants grow up--and seed it with clover.

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/05/top-ten-flowers-your-chickens-will-love.html


I liked the list at the end of poisonious plants-- easy to forget to be mindfull of those .