what to grow in my run for my chickens to eat

[galefrances]

janinepeters: Thank you. I think this is something I'd really like to try. It may not be as pretty, but from what you've said, it sounds like something that will really benefit my chickens.

 

[janinepeters]

Good luck, Galefrances. Once you have a good sized pile, it's a good idea to keep it moist and to turn it 1-2 times a week. This keeps it decomposing more quickly, bringing in more bugs for the chickens. They also love when you turn it, because it exposes some of the worms and bugs, which the chickens quickly gobble up. Mine come running as soon as they see me going to turn it!

 

[galefrances]

Yes, I read about composting and keeping it moist. I can't believe at my age I'm getting into all this stuff. Well, at least my grandchildren can learn along with me. Thanks again for your help.

 

[looneyrooster]

Here are some suggestions: Onion,garlic, sasame seeds,coriander,potatoe and thats all i can think of...well there are also carrots you could crow...how about worms,theyre easy to grow.

 

[coffeekittie]

Frankly? we all need three runs. One growing the cover, one the birds are in, and one recovering from the birds being in there.

Short of a rotation plan such as this, nothing is going to work. If the chickens still have access, it is dug, disturbed, pecked bare, scratched, trampled and ...... I don't care what you plant in it. Rotational systems are the only way to go. I honestly think 4 runs is even more realistic. If there isn't room to build rotational pens, I don't hold out a whole lot of hope.

I second this. It's true for most (if not all) livestock...also helps for worm/parasite load. Can you let your hens go out of their run during the day and stay in only at night? If not, th)rowing them weeds and grasses and whatnot is a fine solution, IMO

Parker

 

[galefrances]

I'm afraid to let my chickens free range. We have too many hawks here.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

We have twenty chickens and in less than two weeks our 16 x 32 foot run had been scratched, trampled and pecked down to nothing but bare dirt. To be able to have anything other than bare dirt in a run you'd need two runs and rotate the flock between them. Three runs would be even better.

Something to keep in mind when determining what to plant as ground cover. We are thinking of trying this and planting clover and alfalfa. A study suggested clover and alfalfa produced 18 percent more omega-3 fat than grass alone. Eggs from the alfalfa pasture had 25 percent more omega-3 than grass-produced counterparts.

Remember not all grasses are equal. The leafier the plant, the higher the digestibility for the animal. If a pasture is overgrazed or the grass is too mature and 'stemmy' the nutritional benefits fall short.

------- Please keep in mind when feeding grass clippings. Clippings actually do little good as the nutrients have already leached out of them leaving behind nothing but fiber and barren material as far as nutrition goes. Actual 'live' growing grass is far more beneficial but still should never be used as a complete food source. -------

You CAN provide other food sources while still going the route of manufactured feeds, including boiled eggs. These are actually very good food for the chickens, as they are near to being a "complete food" and if you have laying hens, very readily available. Just make sure that if you do give them boiled eggs, you crush them first (leave the shells on, as they are a very good calcium source which laying hens desperately need), because if you dont, your hens will start pecking at eggs as they are laid.

Grass feeding is possible, but it really does need to be living, growing grass to provide your chickens with the sustenance they need.

Free range birds require a lot of open area if they are to be self sufficient in their diet, limited space calls for a supplemented diet which need not necessarily be a manufactured branded product.,but foodstuff that includes a balance of all ingredients, like grain, protein etc these are needed for health & egg production. Clippings & scrap help but not all that much., merely add to bulk.
With limited space it is well to keep to a few well fed hens.

( I am thinking of designing a 'bed' which will run the length of my run area and about 3 foot wide which can be 'raised' by means of ropes on a pulley system. I will be planting alfalfa and red clover in the beds. Along with assorted 'greens'. I'll then raise them about 6 foot high off ground level and let the seeds germinate. Once I have mature plants I can lower the 'beds' back to ground level so as to supply my flock with fresh greens. I can make more then one bed. Again, my run is 16 foot in width which will allow about 5 of these 'beds'. Each bed can be planted about two weeks apart. This would allow almost a constant supply of fresh greens during the spring, summer and up till late fall. )

 

[KnoxvilleChick]

Building on the salad bar idea... I read an article, and now of course can't find it, that suggested making several frames, covered in hardware cloth, and planting seeds directly in the ground underneath. You can stagger the planting so that there's something sprouting, something sown, something fallow, and something munchable at any given time. It seems pretty simple, and I think I'd give it a try if I couldn't let my hens out to forage on a regular basis. I think I may try it anyway for the times I go out of town for the weekend and they stay in their run.

 

[marcie17]

Have you considered an idea like this?
http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/
I plan on putting protected garden frames lining my run this spring.

 

[Sseckel]

So here is my thought. Yes your run is too small to grow permanent greens for your flock, as is mine (6'x8'). But here is what I am working on. I am building/salvaging gutters, planters, pots, whatever can hold dirt and I am seeding it with edibles for my girls. I plan to cover the top with hardware cloth for the greens to grow though but still protect the seed/roots below. I think that if I have 4-6 of them I can swap them out every few days. Like I said I am merely planning on implementing this so I cant say how it will work. but I think with some tweaking it could be great.