beach chick Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 there was an article in Practical Poultry about how you could cut nettles and dry them and then feed them to your chooks - good source of greens etc. well, we have a big clump of nettles in the middle of our electric fence area, which the chooks usually avoid like the plague. in the last few days though, they have started going into the nettles for a good old rootle about - so I'm assuming that by this time of year the nettles must have lost their sting? saves me cutting them down and drying them anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't bother drying them; I just cut them and stamp off the stings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 yes I couldnt really see the point of drying them tbh. how do you mean stamp the stings off though? (am ignorant, not sure which bit of the nettle actually stings, but I avoid at all costs...) anyway my lot can do it for themselves - loving their independence!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Just leave a bundle on the ground and stamp on them with your wellies on - it's stamps off the sting hairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Mine avoid them like the plague. I'm always reading articles about hanging nettles for the hens to peck at as a boredom buster. They don't want to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 The nettles are the only thing in my garden the chickens won't eat typical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I saw this article too! I cut 5 bundles, tied them round the stalks & put them in the shed to dry for 4 days.....They LOVE them! Especially the growers - I put a bundle in their run in the morning as a boredom buster while the 'big girls' were having their time out - and they were stripped bare by lunchtime when I went home to change them over!! The big girls like them but not as enthusiasticly. I touched them first and the sting had definately gone. I'll be out there again at the weekend with my heavy duty gloves cutting some more for sure! It's great having a free treat that they enjoy, as well as getting rid of the nettles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Mine don't seem to notice that nettles sting, they get in amongst them. I like to have a bit of a wild patch in the garden for the bees/insects. Good idea to hang bunches though, never thought of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Try collecting or cultivating Fat Hen and Tree Spinach - both grow like mad and are edible for humans as well as chickens and bunnies Fat Hen Tree Spinach I have some tree spinach which Lesley gave me as seedlings a couple of years ago - it grows like mad and provides a crop through the warm month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Try collecting or cultivating Fat Hen and Tree Spinach - both grow like mad and are edible for humans as well as chickens and bunnies Fat Hen Tree Spinach I have some tree spinach which Lesley gave me as seedlings a couple of years ago - it grows like mad and provides a crop through the warm month. Great tip, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you see some Fat Hen growing wild (it is coming to the end of its season now) then just pull up a root or two - it's prolific enough that you don't need to worry about denuding the countryside Tree Spinach is prettier though and can easily be grown as a garden plant, but beware that both are quite invasive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 They sound good - and look nice too! What sort of areas would I find them in? Or can you buy seeds etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 You can find Fat Hen on many verges or beside footpaths, Tree Spinach is cultivated but it's not hard to find plants being sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
