In April when I planted the green manure seeds I had some leftover. I decided to plant some in one of the chook runs for greens for the girls. The chooks had been moved out of the area to allow it to regenerate.
The area chosen was rough hoed and larger stones removed. The seed was planted in blocks of Barley, Rye and Oats. Each of these blocks was covered over with old plastic bakery crates, to stop birds and any escapee chooks scratching up the seed. These blocks were given minimal water just until germination and none since.
By late May there was good growth from each block with only the Barley being nibbled regularly by Lucky Dog.
In June the chooks were let back into the run to enjoy some juicy winter greens.
They walk on top of the crates and can't scratch the plants up. The plants are able to re-grow for them to enjoy more greens.
A couple of weeks later and the tops are nearly gone.
The area chosen was rough hoed and larger stones removed. The seed was planted in blocks of Barley, Rye and Oats. Each of these blocks was covered over with old plastic bakery crates, to stop birds and any escapee chooks scratching up the seed. These blocks were given minimal water just until germination and none since.
By late May there was good growth from each block with only the Barley being nibbled regularly by Lucky Dog.
In June the chooks were let back into the run to enjoy some juicy winter greens.
They walk on top of the crates and can't scratch the plants up. The plants are able to re-grow for them to enjoy more greens.
A couple of weeks later and the tops are nearly gone.
What a fantatsic idea, upside down bread crates, thankyou so much I shall have to think how I can do that in my chooks run!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a fantastic idea too, if only I had the room to do it!
ReplyDeleteI've made a similar thing out of scrap lumber and wire over them - but your idea makes it look so much neater. I'll be looking out for some of these bakery trays.
ReplyDelete