I've had so much interest in "Gardening With Chickens" since I began presenting workshops on the subject that I thought it might be fun to hit some of the highlights of the presentation right here on the website. One of the concepts I discuss (and one folks have been fascinated with) is gardening for your chickens. It's a simple concept, and when you really think about it, it's an extremely practical one too.
I love growing a garden for my family to eat from, and a while back I realized that we were not the only ones who could benefit from the harvest...
I love growing a garden for my family to eat from, and a while back I realized that we were not the only ones who could benefit from the harvest...
The flock adores sharing the bounty, and that works out great for all of us. Here's why:
- Growing extras in the garden for the flock cuts feed costs.
- Eating a diet rich in leafy greens, herbs, and other produce improves the chickens' health.
- I feel a bit more justified about planting way too much in the Spring. (I can go a bit overboard!)
I free-range my flock the majority of the time, but I have a coop and attached chicken run that I can keep them contained to when necessary--like when the panther passes through in the Spring and Fall. Most of the time my chickens are out in the yard and field chasing bugs, pecking at the weeds, and picking at the grass. This foraging tendency is natural to them, and it helps them get diversity in their diet. It also helps in that I don't have to buy nearly as much feed for them, and I'm all about saving money.
I boost this savings by planting a few extras in the gardens that the chickens can benefit from, like all those nutrient rich leafy greens--kale, arugula, and chard are some of my (and their) favorites. I also have fruit trees they can glean fallen fruit from and berry canes they can forage beneath. The latter two are particularly beneficial to me simply because the chickens clean up any bad fruit and berries that have dropped, and that's one less task for me!
I boost this savings by planting a few extras in the gardens that the chickens can benefit from, like all those nutrient rich leafy greens--kale, arugula, and chard are some of my (and their) favorites. I also have fruit trees they can glean fallen fruit from and berry canes they can forage beneath. The latter two are particularly beneficial to me simply because the chickens clean up any bad fruit and berries that have dropped, and that's one less task for me!
Most of us know the health benefits of eating fresh, raw fruit and veggies. And humans aren't the only ones who need these power-packed foods in our diet. Chickens can and will survive on the complete commercial packaged feeds available at farm stores (and there's nothing wrong with feeding them this), but to me there's no comparison between them eating packaged feed and eating fresh produce.
Leafy greens provide a plethora of nutrients and antioxidants, and are a wonderful "fuel food". They provide us and our flocks with the energy and fuel our bodies need to stay active and in good health. Herbs have many beneficial qualities, too, and I like to toss excess basil, rosemary, thyme, and mints into the run and let the flock feast away. Basil has antibacterial properties, rosemary & thyme aid respiratory issues, and mints are cleansing with the added benefit of being rodent deterrents. Using these and other herbs are a nice way to feed and care for my flock naturally--and tossing a few edible flowers in adds a little spice to the mix!
Leafy greens provide a plethora of nutrients and antioxidants, and are a wonderful "fuel food". They provide us and our flocks with the energy and fuel our bodies need to stay active and in good health. Herbs have many beneficial qualities, too, and I like to toss excess basil, rosemary, thyme, and mints into the run and let the flock feast away. Basil has antibacterial properties, rosemary & thyme aid respiratory issues, and mints are cleansing with the added benefit of being rodent deterrents. Using these and other herbs are a nice way to feed and care for my flock naturally--and tossing a few edible flowers in adds a little spice to the mix!
I don't know about you, but when Spring planting season rolls around I tend to go a bit crazy with my plantings. I plant way too much of everything! And then when harvest season arrives I end up exhausting myself trying to pick and save every last bit of the bounty. But the last few years I've learned a different way of doing things. Don't get me wrong--I still over-plant, but I just don't stress out about getting it all harvested. This is because I've discovered that my chickens love to help out with the task.
Any extras I get when I'm out gleaning from the garden go straight to the flock--who is usually hovering at the garden gate, begging for a freshly harvested treat. And when the greens start to bolt and turn bitter and I don't want to eat them anymore, I know who feels differently. The chickens consider them a buffet--and a tasty one at that. I toss the harvested plants, roots and all, to the flock and watch them gobble up what would otherwise have been thrown in the compost pile.
I mentioned before about how my flock cleans up the fallen fruit from the trees and berry canes. Not only does this solve the problem of my having to harvest every last fruit on the branches and vines, but because the chickens don't mind eating rotten fruit, they clean up a mess that would otherwise cause a stink and draw in additional pests. I get what I want from the harvest, and they get something too.
Any extras I get when I'm out gleaning from the garden go straight to the flock--who is usually hovering at the garden gate, begging for a freshly harvested treat. And when the greens start to bolt and turn bitter and I don't want to eat them anymore, I know who feels differently. The chickens consider them a buffet--and a tasty one at that. I toss the harvested plants, roots and all, to the flock and watch them gobble up what would otherwise have been thrown in the compost pile.
I mentioned before about how my flock cleans up the fallen fruit from the trees and berry canes. Not only does this solve the problem of my having to harvest every last fruit on the branches and vines, but because the chickens don't mind eating rotten fruit, they clean up a mess that would otherwise cause a stink and draw in additional pests. I get what I want from the harvest, and they get something too.
Gardening for my chickens has been such a blessing to me and my flock that I can't imagine doing things any other way now. The burden of a massive harvest has been removed, the health of my flock has improved, and my wallet is slightly heavier these days. Plus, gardening for my chickens makes me feel one step closer to living that sustainable life. There's something to be said for doing the best you can with what you've been given, and in this case, I feel confident that I'm doing just that.
And believe me, that hasn't always been the case. Sorry to burst your bubble--I know you think I'm perfect. Probably because I keep saying I am! (Wink, wink.)
And believe me, that hasn't always been the case. Sorry to burst your bubble--I know you think I'm perfect. Probably because I keep saying I am! (Wink, wink.)
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