Which seed blend would be best for cover crop?

[dotnet_nerd]

I am looking to grow about 1/4 acre of foraging cover crop for our hens (red sex-links and Orpingtons) to free-range.

I have 2 recommendations from 2 suppliers, similar in price. They are:

Quote 1)
30% Haygrazer Alfalfa
5% White Clover
5% Kentucky Bluegrass
10% Tetrasweet Tetraploid Per Rye
20% Palatine Tall Fescue
15% Orchardgrass
15% Fleet Meadow Bromegrass

Quote 2)
15% Alfalfa
10% Coated Fixation Balansa Clover
10% Coated Frosty Berseem Clover
5% Coated Alsike Clover
5% Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover
10% Coated Chicory
20% BG-24T Perennial Ryegrass Blend
20% Oats 5% Purple Top Turnip
(100% Mixed & Inoculated)

Any thoughts on these blends? Or is there something more ideal? We are in Southern Ontario, hardiness zone 7a
Would like to maximize Omega-3 content in the eggs.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am looking to grow about 1/4 acre of foraging cover crop for our hens (red sex-links and Orpingtons) to free-range.

I have 2 recommendations from 2 suppliers, similar in price. They are:

Quote 1)
30% Haygrazer Alfalfa
5% White Clover
5% Kentucky Bluegrass
10% Tetrasweet Tetraploid Per Rye
20% Palatine Tall Fescue
15% Orchardgrass
15% Fleet Meadow Bromegrass

Quote 2)
15% Alfalfa
10% Coated Fixation Balansa Clover
10% Coated Frosty Berseem Clover
5% Coated Alsike Clover
5% Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover
10% Coated Chicory
20% BG-24T Perennial Ryegrass Blend
20% Oats 5% Purple Top Turnip
(100% Mixed & Inoculated)

Any thoughts on these blends? Or is there something more ideal? We are in Southern Ontario, hardiness zone 7a
Would like to maximize Omega-3 content in the eggs.

I am in 8a, and a LONG way away from you - Florida "Wiregrass" area, which is north west Florida. We get a lot of rainfall, which may or may not be true for you.

Of the two, if pricing is similar, I'd take the second in a heart beat. Clovers are all nitrogen fixers, relatively high protein (for a plant), and by having multiple varieties they will come into season staggered (and different clovers perform better with different light levels). The perrenial rye will only improve with time. Turnips, chickory, alfalfa are all relatively hearty in cooler temps. Oats aren't terrible, and provide some vertical support.

Then next year, I would overseed with traditionally cheaper seeds obtained in bulk. The Orchardgrass.

I use both fescue and kentucky blue on my property, neither are significant parts of my bird's grazing, andthey don't seem to attract a lot of insects my birds are interested in either. I use them as ground cover, and for my goats (never had an issue w/ fescue toxicity, but if you have horses, it is potenially a thing). I have Brome as well - not deliberately. Its a good bug attractant, and provides some vertical support for other plants (as well as a popular spot to hide a nest next to) but its not high on my list of wants to plant deliberately.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and for reference, this is what I just seeded 2a of pasture with, a couple months ago.

 

[Altairsky]

IMHO they're basically the same. I'd probably take the one with chicory. Chickens eat a variety of herbs, so you can plant either mix and let the wild herbs come in. You can also just throw in some extra seeds purchased separately. My chickens love to eat daisy, violets, dandelion, bladder campion, bedstraw, poppy, chamomile and many more. The richer your pasture is the richer the eggs will be!

 

[dotnet_nerd]

I am in 8a, and a LONG way away from you - Florida "Wiregrass" area, which is north west Florida. We get a lot of rainfall, which may or may not be true for you.

Of the two, if pricing is similar, I'd take the second in a heart beat. Clovers are all nitrogen fixers, relatively high protein (for a plant), and by having multiple varieties they will come into season staggered. The perrenial rye will only improve with time. Turnips, chickory, alfalfa are all relatively hearty in cooler temps.

Then next year, I would overseed with traditionally cheaper seeds obtained in bulk. The Orchardgrass.

I use both fescue and kentucky blue on my property, neither are significant parts of my bird's grazing, andthey don't seem to attract a lot of insects my birds are interested in either. I use them as ground cover, and for my goats (never had an issue w/ fescue toxicity, but if you have horses, it is potenially a thing). I have Brome as well - not deliberately. Its a good bug attractant, and provides some vertical support for other plants (as well as a popular spot to hide a nest next to) but its not high on my list of wants to plant deliberately.

Thanks, that's very helpful. Yes, we adequate rainfall. And I agree the higher clover sounds good.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

This is how I'm looking after the spring liming, fertilizing, and seeding. Best it has looked in years.

Sadly, have some serious weeding to do on this side of the pasture still - they are opportunistic, and took advantage of how bare things were last year.

 

[ChaosMom]

This is how I'm looking after the spring liming, fertilizing, and seeding. Best it has looked in years.
View attachment 4125640
Sadly, have some serious weeding to do on this side of the pasture still - they are opportunistic, and took advantage of how bare things were last year.

How did you manage to get your lovely pasture to “take”? I know you’ve been battling poor soil for years.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

How did you manage to get your lovely pasture to “take”? I know you’ve been battling poor soil for years.

Broke the inches of clay on the top of the soil using a small tractor and a single plow. Applied 800# of agricultural lime and 150# of a "starter" fertilizer (10-18-10). Drove the pastures a second time using the box blade with the teeth down to mix things up and level them off.

Waited a month, then planted. Puled a drag to level some more and lightly cover the seeds, so the birds wouldn't eat it all.

I'm supposed to put down another 800# of lime again in fall, and again in spring, but may skip and see. My soils are VERY acidic - too much so even for some acid loving plants. The lime is helping to cure that, while breaking the soil finally allowed things to root. A little.

I'm balancing between budget, performance, and the risk of pulverizing the soil (as happens when you over till it) as best I can.

Current thinking is to apply another 400# before next spring, likely late winter or so as a surface application, then overseed in spring.

 

[ChaosMom]

Broke the inches of clay on the top of the soil using a small tractor and a single plow. Applied 800# of agricultural lime and 150# of a "starter" fertilizer (10-18-10). Drove the pastures a second time using the box blade with the teeth down to mix things up and level them off.

Waited a month, then planted.

I'm supposed to put down another 800# of lime again in fall, and again in spring, but may skip and see. My soils are VERY acidic - too much so even for some acid loving plants. The lime is helping to cure that, while breaking the soil finally allowed things to root. A little.

I'm balancing between budget, performance, and the risk of pulverizing the soil (as happens when you over till it) as best I can.

Current thinking is to apply another 400# before next spring, likely late winter or so as a surface application, then overseed in spring.

Amazing work!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

TYM 2515H. For a small tractor (24hp), its a beast. Not big enough if I was to work all 30 of my acres, of course, but for some weekend fun?? Oh yeah. Oh, and no DPF to deal with. Always a plus when it comes to maintenance.