maizey Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi folks, The wet weather and the natural habit of chickens scratching up the grass has turned my lawn into a mudbath. I have now reseeded my lawn and decided to keep my chooks penned in a smaller area of my lawn. I have two questions. 1. Now that they have hardly any grass to eat is it important to feed them greens? They don't like broccoli. 2.Is it worthwhile putting down wood chippings in there penned area and if so to what depth. Best regards Maizey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 (edited) Hello Maizey! 1. Now that they have hardly any grass to eat is it important to feed them greens? They don't like broccoli. 2.Is it worthwhile putting down wood chippings in there penned area and if so to what depth. Best regards Maizey 1. Yes i would feed them greens, its good for vitamins and improves the colour of their yolks. Try spinach, chard, kale etc. All grow really well over winter and you can just pick a couple of leaves from each plant and it will regrow. 2. Any depth of chippings will be appreciated! It gives them something to scratch around in. Try sprinkling some mealworms/corn in the area and they will be happy for ages. Hope your grass recovers! C x p.s I read somewhere on here that someone had put down a plastic mesh over their grass that stopped the hens ripping up the roots. Might be worth looking into? Edited October 7, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Cabbage and lettuce go down well with my girls. The darker in colour the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi Maizey, Have you tried cooking the broccoli? Mine wouldn't eat it raw, but loved it cooked. In fact, they will eat just about any cooked greens - especially if mixed with a bit of cooked rice/pasta/potato. I mash up any leftovers with a bit of grit and they love it. Worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi Maizey, Mine adore Spinach,Lettuce, carrot tops, cabbage - anything really! If you get one of those fat blck peckers, the covered wire mesh ones that you put a square fat black into (Tesco do them), you can STUFF tonnes of Speinach in that - keeps them happy for hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 someone had put down a plastic mess over their grass That made me laugh - I imagined a heap of old plastic bags, bottles, plant pots, food trays, etc Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 mine werent keen on greens at first. But after a while they realised mummy wasnt giving them any other treats until they got their goodness - so they duly eat it now !! They eat spinach and broccoli - but they prefer it cut up into little bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 someone had put down a plastic mess over their grass That made me laugh - I imagined a heap of old plastic bags, bottles, plant pots, food trays, etc Rob Thanks Rob, edited now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
