Comment

Comment by Carey Ma on August 10, 2011 at 5:54pm

Yes, yes, David; Purslane. I guess I forgot to mention it because it grows so abundantly wild here in my yard. This is a list of seeds I needed to import (smuggle). Thanks for reminding me to add wilds to my list. Along with wild grasses, my chickens also get seasonal fruit. I have around five hundred Apricots and a hundred or so peach trees and a smattering of other fruit trees.

 

@ Bill: Hehe Thanks Bill, I guess I'm a good example of an egomaniac because I dare try to provide better than nature can? I simply don't believe that our food should be victims. I believe the more I nurture my food, the more my food will nurture me. I'm not out for volume, just quality.

Cheers

Comment by David Hart on August 10, 2011 at 9:30am

Purslane is very high in omega 3 ( for a plant)  Chickens, fish and 'us',  should be eating it....

Comment by Pices on August 10, 2011 at 6:30am

Excellent! Eggs from your hens must be very nutritious. Although my hens are free range, I have not planted the beneficials you list, nor do I feed the winter grasses & sprouts. I like your methods and will try some with my hens. Thank you! 

Comment by Carey Ma on August 9, 2011 at 5:16pm

Their main season free-range forage pasture consist of

Common Flax, Non-dormant Alfalfa, Alfalfa, Timothy Grass and Red Cowpeas,

 

Winter feeds:

• Mangel beets / Golden Eckendorf – winter feed for chickens & rabbits
• Oats, Barley, buckwheat and rye, red clover – grasses/sprout fodder

• Grain (fresh ground) feed supplement mixture: six quarts of oats to a quart each of wheat, sunflower seeds, barley and corn.
• Grubs, crickets, worms

Beneficial plants:

Wormwood - Planted around the coop area helps eradicate internal and external parasites

Yarrow - Terrific for digestion and has great antiseptic properties. Healthy ladies, here we come!

Sage - A panacea for all ailments. Perfect for nibbling on by your girls to keep them healthy.

Peppermint - Used as an internal and external parasite aid.

Nasturtium - A panacea for all ailments. Perfect for nibbling on by your girls to keep them healthy.

Lavender - Cut up and put in the laying box to stop lice and mites. Make the eggs smell like pot pourri.

Dandelion - Add to chicken feed to help boost immunity or let the ladies graze on it's flowers and leaves.

 

 

 

Comment by Pices on August 9, 2011 at 2:08pm

What do you feed your hens?

Comment by Carey Ma on August 9, 2011 at 4:56am

Can you guess which is my egg? The other is a so called free-ranged egg, bought at supermarket.