BarredBuff
El Presidente de Pollo
.
Making the Poultry More SS
- Thread starter BarredBuff
- Start date
MsPony
Lovin' The Homestead
Is there room for small rotational grazing? I put a chick tractor over a patch then when its grown high, move it the next spot and let them graze it down. Don't feed them clippings, that will impact crops.
Otherwise, mine are doing well on foraging. I haven't even bought a seed mix in a week (accident) and their crops are still full. I do allow my little polish and 7 year old hen pellets, but they are special and need help. Amy (7 year old) is great at foraging, but the polish sucks at foraging, even with a bang cut.
I don't ever recommend polish except for pretty. Sucky layers. Flighty. Sucky foragers.
Otherwise, mine are doing well on foraging. I haven't even bought a seed mix in a week (accident) and their crops are still full. I do allow my little polish and 7 year old hen pellets, but they are special and need help. Amy (7 year old) is great at foraging, but the polish sucks at foraging, even with a bang cut.
I don't ever recommend polish except for pretty. Sucky layers. Flighty. Sucky foragers.
- Thread starter
- #3
BarredBuff
El Presidente de Pollo
All of my hens free range all day, everyday.
Wifezilla
Low-Carb Queen - RIP: 1963-2021
Since I don't have grazing land, I am making a little "oasis" or two in the duck pen. Take chicken wire and make a circle about 3 feet across. Anchor it well to the ground using old tent stakes. Inside add some good dirt and compost. Then plant something delicious inside. As the plant grows, it will poke through the sides of the wire and the birds will nibble on the "surplus" without being able to destroy the actual plant itself.
I am planting red clover, amaranth, and some kind of bush bean.
I am planting red clover, amaranth, and some kind of bush bean.
MsPony
Lovin' The Homestead
I do crop checks throughout the day. I work FT so on those days its just lunchtime and when I stick them in the coop at night. Days off I check 3-5 times on each hen. Crops are always full (except on polish, which is why she gets fed seperate.) So that alone tells me that they are fine. If your crops are full, you're good to go.
I do chose to add in vitamins and ACV, but mine are pets besides egg layers (sold my second set of eggs btw!!)
I am going to be sowing in a chick mix to the grass mix so that there is more variety. I am growing herbs not only for myself, but for them. I mean, the number one key to chickens is their daily scraps from the kitchen and the variety you feed them. Its simple to throw in an old carrot or some old lettuce for them.
I think your plan/method is great
I do chose to add in vitamins and ACV, but mine are pets besides egg layers (sold my second set of eggs btw!!)
I am going to be sowing in a chick mix to the grass mix so that there is more variety. I am growing herbs not only for myself, but for them. I mean, the number one key to chickens is their daily scraps from the kitchen and the variety you feed them. Its simple to throw in an old carrot or some old lettuce for them.
I think your plan/method is great
