Winter Field Peas

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Is anyone experienced in using Field Peas (or any of its cultivars) as a winter forage crop for chickens, turkeys or ducks? I know that geese readily eat it and it is recognized as a good green feed for dairy cattle, especially in Europe. I have not located any information on the internet as to its usefulness as a feed otherwise.

It grows well duiring colder weater and if suitable may be a valuable plant to utilize for poultry since its growing season extends beyond many other vegitation types.
I am told that it grows much like a cold hardy pansey. I have seen panseys blooming in Ohio in December and in Atlanta in January.

I am thinking this might be a good crop to extend the season of range poultry.

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[chicmom]

I don't have experience with winter peas, but I always thought peas and beans weren't good for chickens.

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

I use rye and barely oats. Even with snow on the ground...a few sunny days has it growing. I let it seed out in the spring and cut it and bale it. If its in an area or two small of a plot to bale, I brush hog it down and repeat in the fall again. Some plots will re-seed itself. I mainly use it for deer plots but I cant keep teh chickens out of it. The wild turkeys flock to my place in the winter! The winter peas (australian peas) dont seem to do well here.

 

[Chris09]

Neil,
Ive used AUSTRIAN PEAS, MAPLE PEAS, VETCH PEAS, CANADIAN PEAS, and MUNG BEANS but not as a forage crop, they were the main protein sores in the pigeon grain mix that I used as a poultry scratch.
My Red's seem to do real well and filled out nicely in the breast, back and legs.

Chris