Winter wheat forage

[Htee]

My flock is comprised of 8 geese, 4 ducks and 6 chickens. I have about 1/2 an acre of open ground in the back yard that is mostly weeds that I mow during the summer. I have tried planting wheat on it so my birds would have fresh forage through the cold months. My birds normally free range so I would pen them up and plant the wheat. Once it sprouted and was about three inches high I would turn the flock out. They would immediately eat everything, scratch up the root and eat that too, killing all the wheat. I would like to put something down that would allow the wheat to grow through so they can eat the greens but leave the plants base and root alone. At least in a small area. Something like hardware cloth. Has anyone done something like this?

 

[kattabelly]

There are some good ideas in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...odder-seedlings-sprouts-for-chickens.1426817/

 

[Htee]

Thank you for directing me to the correct thread, it was very helpful