what r u planting in your garden for your chickens?

[WoodlandWoman]

I'm planting a cherry tomato, just for them. Lobbing cherry tomatoes at them is just too much fun. A variety of veggies for all of us. I have to plant a lot more greens than last year!

I wonder how many acres per chicken of chard I'd have to grow, to have some left for me???

 

[marie1]

Has anyone tried feeding Mangle Worzel to their chickens? I have got some seeds and am going to grow some to give it a try this year.

Apparently its a type of beet traditionally used as an animal fodder but chickens can peck at it as well. The good thing is that it stays in the ground over winter so you can pull it up and use it when you want.

I dont know much else about it but will give it a try.

 

[TXmom]

Quote:
But do plant SOMEthing this year, even just one container or windowbox or tray! Get a cheap plastic colander and a packet of lettuce seeds, or a pot with the fresh herb you use the most. Grow a tomato plant in a tub, or a pepper or cucumber.

C'mon! It's as fun (and addicting) as chickeneering!

OK...you talked me into it...I will start small this year and plant something

Actually, last year we planted some Oleander bushes, 2 shade trees and 3 fruit trees, so little by little we are turning our boring field of a yard into a homey place.

Ooh, that brings up a good question...are Oleanders toxic to chickens? I better look into that. They are not near the Coop/Run, but if they do get out and freerange at all, we might need to keep them away from that area.

 

[L*A*G*]

Quote:
TXmom, I think u should join TEG (The Easy Garden forum) that is where u can ask all your gardening ?s. I'm part of it myself! (*Sunflower*Girl*).

 

[L*A*G*]

I've got some rye seed I'm gonna plant in the pen 2marrow.
Just adding,
Larra

 

[TXmom]

TXmom, I think u should join TEG (The Easy Garden forum) that is where u can ask all your gardening ?s. I'm part of it myself! (*Sunflower*Girl*).

Right after my last post here, I clicked on the TEG link at the bottom of this page and read some of the forum. I will join and do some of my research there. Thanks!​

 

[AHappychick]

I give them any wormy corn or veggies that are deemed unfit for my family, and at the end of season I pull all the unripen cherry tomatoes and ripen them in my closet. They dont taste as sweet and by then my family has had its fill but the chickens love them! I think I might plant some greens this year if I am so inclined and maybe some field corn.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

*L*A*G* :

I've got some rye seed I'm gonna plant in the pen 2marrow...

If your chickens are like mine, they'll probably dig up & eat the seed before it sprouts. Better to grow the rye in trays, and place it in the pen after it sprouts. I used to do this, in the shallow plastic trays nurseries use to send their plants to the stores.

I've also sprouted bird-feeder seed, just kept it damp in a shallow pen until it sprouted an inch or two, then gave that to the chickens.​

 

[bayouchica]

We're going to grow the usual squash,tomatoes,corn.
My chickens really love the Jerusalem artichokes,comes up early in February & provides cover out in the garden for them. It is a root crop & come winter they enjoy digging artichokes up.They are also a good people food,too.

 

[Dawn419]

I'll be planting peas, green beans, several types of squash, tomatoes, watermelons, and pumpkins, just to name a few things.

I really need to get some greens growing too but it's way to wet to plant anything in the ground right now.

Right now, I'm able to pick them Chickweed, Comfrey (growing in my coldframe), Dandelion leaves, Henbit and Plantain a few times a week.


Dawn