Suggestions for Supplementary Feed for Free Range Chickens?

[@sustainablelivingtv]

I've been planting green clover everywhere and they really enjoy that. They also enjoyed my sorrel plant to the point that I had to cover it with a cage. I keep adding perennial greens and it seems to take the pressure off of other crops. They also like to eat the mycelium from King Stropharia. Their disturbance in the springtime (just before a big rain) seems to spur more mushroom growth.

[@rebeccajosteelman563]

Thanks Geoff. When I get my homestead in a great location, I'll always refer back to your videos teaching good, effective practices and land/animal stewardship. 🙏❤

[@zachlloyd9392]

Great ideas here Geoff. I am looking at planting rye to create my own straw mulch in my raised beds. Rye is dirt cheap, I wonder if the chickens would eat the rye seed heads as I plan on cutting those off so I don't seed Rye into my raised beds..... or I could do that on purpose over winter. Lots of options and possibilities. I am so glad I caught wind of Permaculture, it is so freeing to not be locked into the traditional farming/gardening methods.

[@gavinhall3669]

Chickens love Kikuyu lawn clippings fron Mowing. I have no idea what extra nutrients they get from it but they really go for it big time. They also love Borage, Comfrey, Kale & any leaves from the Broccoli & Cabbage Family.

[@lorkson]

I've found success on a smaller scale having areas covered in thick wood much and left for about 6 months. When the chickens are let loose on it it's full of bugs which is a nice protein snack to supplement the plant material.

[@lorkson]

Fermented grains work for my chickens really well.

[@kirsten4896]

This is so much good info in 4 minutes I can't believe it

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

In the fall there was ten weeks of no rain, and in the rainy winter/spring the chickweed had filled in all the bare spots. Pulling out the chickweed revealed a ton of other seedlings establishing under it while the ground was kept moist, and the large volume of chickweed was used to fill in trenches, which sank down a lot as chickweed is a lot of water. Right now the weeks of rainy overcast are establishing all the seedlings.

[@Christodophilus]

Depends how long term, you're designing for too. My grandfather ran animals, with the old hedgerow system. Meaning land was set aside along fields, to plant a thicket of brambles. Some edible to humans, other meant only for animals. It provided a windbreak, shade, moved nutrients around the property, and enabled interactive relationships with wild animals for pest management on domestic livestock. Wherever you can grow a thicket of plants, you have a natural source of food (and medicine) for the animals.

[@GSBMxyz]

Love your channel and excellent advice. I live in South America but hope to follow a course one day at Zaytuna farm. Saludos!

[@aron8949]

I like to give them a portion in the morning and evening when I’m out there in the yard and that way they finish it all and don’t leave any for the mice!

[@lee-andrebeyers7727]

Hey G, I wonder. Would it be possible to raise grain free or zero input chicken if you feed them tree crop like nuts and fruits. If so, what kind of trees would you recommend if one assumes the climate allows for it(haven't chosen a location yet). Hope you see this, Warm regards Lee

[@jamesb7150]

Why is this channel not called Geoff My Lawn? Love what you do. Just saying

[@burheembakr352]

Keep’em coming

[@quiksilver1j]

Great content as always Geoff .. John from online PDC class #1 2013! Checking in

[@ProfESOrr-im5su]

Olives, especially Californian Queen ( UC13A6) here in Vic, Aussie are #1 best. Lots of oil in the dead of Winter is a perfect lead up to egg laying. Add protein in Spring (soft shelled Almonds). Grapes on the other hand are #1 worst. Separate chickens and grapes, or crush the grapes. Exploding chicken stomachs are not pretty or useful. Sounds like you're supplementing too much. They will learn, especially if you teach them what to eat. Mix what you want them to eat with the supplements. They get bored with eating too much fruit.

[@andylyon3867]

Milk with grain soaked in it is the best. Keep in mind chickens are designed to eat seeds.

[@mojavebohemian814]

Thank you

[@osmanbussines1813]

💫💫💫

[@joshdoyle182]

When you consider that all other life-forms near Mr. Lawton seem to be working at least two jobs, his popularity becomes harder to understand. j/k

[@AaronPetterborg]

"If you want more eggs..." THE SHADE

[@TheVigilantStewards]

We will never use them for eggs or meat, we just want them for fertility engine in the chicken tractor and patrolling around for snakes

[@mariaspitzer6034]

I have seen already some videos of you. how you treat the animal I would suggest you better stick to plants. They generally are in small cages with no quality of life. that cannot be the idea of permaculture. the idea is to find a niche for them where they can live free as we do.

[@jonerlandson1956]

good questions?... microgreens for forage...