4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Yolky]

My old over grown veg patch is being cut back and I will probably put the eglu there on slabs. I am nearly there but there are lots of weeds in the ground and it needs digging/turning. I was wondering, as a cheat, if I mowed it so it was short could I let the chooks free range there and they would eat the weeds and turn the soil?

 

Only one issue is that there may be old potatoes in the ground (deep) I don't think that they could get to them but there is one potato plant I can see in the ground...I know they can't eat raw spuds but can they eat the plant?

 

Thanks

[beach chick]

well, they'd do a good job clearing the ground but to be honest I'm not sure about the potatoes! I know they shouldnt eat the leaves, and I'd have thought they'd not eat any potatoes in the ground - prob too hard for them. I'd put them in there and just keep an eye - pick up any spuds they dig up. I could be completely wrong tho...

[Olly]

They are not supposed to eat raw potatoes. Must say mine have never shown any interest in eating mine, but if you can see one then I'd chop it off short or dig it up just to be on the safe side.

 

They will do a brilliant job of turning the ground over for you!

[The Dogmother]

Great idea, just make sure that there's nothing stringy to bung up their crops.

[Egluntyne]

There was a thread about a similar topic the other day.

 

**Here**

[ChrisP]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but why can't chickens eat raw potato?

[Yolky]

Thanks for the info all and the link Egluntine. I think I will clear it over, dig out any potato plants I can see and then let the chooks do their worst (or best I think lol) hopefully they will prepare the ground ready for their winter slabbed home.

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but why can't chickens eat raw potato?

 

No-one can Chris; they contain Glycoalkoloids, which are poisonous. Cooking neutralises them.