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[Gertie]

Hi there

 

I wonder if anyone knows of any garden plants I can pick for my hens to supplement their diet. For greens I usually give them a broccoli, cabbage or spinach, but it costs quite a lot and I wondered if there is a good free alternative growing in my garden.

 

I know they like dandelions - I have plenty of those! Any bolted veg etc goes their way. What about wild flowers and other weeds, or anything that I prune that could be edible - just pruned a purple elderflower for example. I do not want to give them upset tummies so need some advice!

 

Thank you

[Guest]

I based what I give my girls on this helpful list of what they CAN'T have....

 

http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/List_of_plants_that_are_poisonous_or_harmful_to_chickens

Edited July 3, 2012 by Guest

[Mrs_B]

I was so surprised to find the list with so many plants that chickens cannot have. Definitely one to remember and keep handy just in case!!

 

I feed my chickens my crop off my fruit bushes, and they go crazy for them. They also love playing around with marigolds - I think it's the bright colours.

 

x

[jackian]

They love dandelions ,especially if complete plants..They kick and toss them around like footballs.

[heth1986]

Elderberry's not good for them I don't think, I tend to stick with dandelions (usually grab a bag full from the fields whilst I'm walking the dog seeing as there aren't any left in the garden !) mine also get fresh veg that we're not going to use and the odd apple or other bits of fruit.

I'm not the best gardener in the world so mine don't tend to get much plant wise, but I have found that generally, if it's not good for them then they wont eat it... clover for example, my OH thought he was being nice bringing home a HUGE bag of clover for them but when I came home and realised, all they'd done was kick it about, clever girls

Sorry not much help, I'll be watching this post intently...

[Gertie]

Thanks very much for the replies. For the time being I will continue to give them dandelions and ordinary greens and veg whilst I do some more research. I guess They might be able to eat nasturtium leaves (although I won't be pulling the leaves off my flowers)!!

 

There are a few areas the chooks seem to home in on in the garden where they eat the windflowers and weeds. I will have to try and identify them. If I do, I'll let you know!

 

Cheers

[TooLilac]

I know what you mean about buying veg for the chooks getting expensive. Between buying fresh fuit and veg for the kids, and cabbages for the chooks - my husband and I tend to cut back on treats for us !

I've tried collecting dandelion but my lots just trash them.

This years I have planted masses of cabbage, beetroot, spinach beet and chard which shoudl keep us all going all winter. They'll get the brussell sprout plants once they hav finished, butI'll have to ration everythign else. I've also protected the veg patch like Fort Knox to avoid some the self-service issues we had in the spring (the chickens were outraged when I woudln't let them dig over my newly sown seeds!)

I've even had to reinforce the fencing round my rhubarv. Althought it's poisonous, they seem to love it

[poppers77]

I grow perpetual spinach sorel & buy cabbages as any I grow they turn their noses up even though they ate all my hostas -all now have a half leaf effect!)

I grew kale once they said 'yuck' . & they won't touch a savoy.

Only thing us once they know where it is you have to barricade as they self service. As for the raspberries I've given up as they saunter down the garden with red beaks like they've got lippy on!

[The Dogmother]

A small amount of greens at the end of the day is a good idea, especially if your birds aren't able to access the garden and choose for themselves.

 

Dandelion is good, I also grow Fat hen and Tree Spinach which they love and are good for us to eat too. be sure to keep greenstuff to small amounts though or they will end up with diarrhoea!

[jimnpaula]

Chickweed is a firm favourite around here - I even bought seeds from ebay from someone who grows stuff for his tortoises.

 

P

[The Dogmother]

The inlaws seem to get a lot of that and Phil always brings a big bag of it at the weekend; the bunnies like it too.

[Luvachicken]

My 2 bigger girls like forget-me-nots.

Especially useful when they have gone a bit straggly and need pulling up.

[Space Chick]

Mine get all the weeds from the allotment

[Gertie]

Thanks for the ideas. I've got plenty of stringy looking forget me knots.

 

I usually give them a cabbage each week which I hang up for them to peck at. I'm just trying to think of something else to hang up instead to give them a bit of interest...and save the pennies!

 

I found an image of a plant they love but I don't know what it is Anyone know?

 

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=garden+weeds&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#biv=i|16;d|SEnPEq8PJBYNQM:

 

Just delved a bit deeper and wonder if it is this

 

Jack-By-The-Hedge Alliaria petiolata  is a common plant that can be found from countryside to the most built up of areas, often poking up through splits in pavements. It has crinkly, kidney shaped green leaves when young becoming more pointy with age.  These leaves smell of garlic if lightly rubbed or crushed. As it starts life it appears to carpet the ground and as it ages it becomes quite tall and then produces small white flowers and seed pods, which all have the same garlic scent. As the plant ages further the scent gradually fades, until it is only just noticeable. Jack-by-the-hedge or Garlic Mustard as it is also known, then slowly withers away until the following year.

 

LEAVES – the leaves make ideal sandwich fillers, and if the leaves are finely chopped and mixed with a little olive oil, they make a refreshing and delicate salad dressing.

 

FLOWERS – the flower have a punchy flavour and can also be added to salads.

 

SEED PODS – for me the seed pods are best eaten as a wayside snack, and although have the same flavour as the rest of the plant, they won’t make your breath smell as it would if you had eaten a clove of true garlic!