12 Easy-To-Grow Crops You Can Use To Feed Your Chickens

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  • Опубликовано: 27 дек 2024

Комментарии • 570

  • @deedahl2866
    @deedahl2866 Год назад +280

    Nasturtiums (natural antibiotic). Calendula (repels insects). Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, chard, beet, turnip greens). Brassicas (kale, cabbage). Sprout grains (peas, corn, sunflower, wheat, barley, oats, soybeans). Comfrey (High protein, Low fiber). Chickory. Berries. Melons. Pumpkins. Corn. Sunflower Seeds. I am surprised that you didn't suggest Lamb's Quarter/Pigweed/Goosefoot! It's super easy to grow, harvest, and even people can eat it. Almost any livestock can eat it.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +66

      Thanks for the list, and the great additions! I’m pinning your comment since so many are asking for a list (and yours is better than mine)! 😁

    • @deedahl2866
      @deedahl2866 Год назад +36

      @@HobbyFarmGuys You are most welcome! I was doing it to have my own notes for future references and thought to myself WHY NOT POST IT FOR EVERYBODY. :) Thanks for making such a great video!

    • @ajb.822
      @ajb.822 Год назад +16

      Also, most of them also love it ( lamb's quarters). I started out with growing extra squash, as it's usually stupid-easy to grow lots of and most types store really well all winter. When I'd bake one for us, I'd bake a 2nd one in oven at same time, for the chickens ( they don't eat hard things well). Obviously, they get more protein & a lil fat from the seeds in there, as well.

    • @douglasgoodfellow7465
      @douglasgoodfellow7465 Год назад +5

      Good point pick those weeds and haul them to the chickens definitely a supplement for them

    • @dman7269
      @dman7269 Год назад +3

      thank u so much

  • @joannc147
    @joannc147 Год назад +109

    Gentlemen - great video, thank you! I’m only 11 months into this chicken thing. I’m running a “Hens Without Borders” philosophy. The neighbors are amused and supplied with eggs. I’m surprised how little, if any, comm’l layer feed the girls ate during the warm months. They find oodles of bugs and green stuff to eat. I’m grateful to learn about these add’l crops I can grow. I grew some corn and amused myself watching “corn cob keepaway” antics by the girls. They also eat voles as well as small snakes, frogs and lizards they catch. I had NO idea chickens would be this much fun 🐓🐓❤.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +6

      They sure are fun! Thanks for sharing!

    • @puttingitogether2816
      @puttingitogether2816 Год назад +15

      My neighbor is running a Hens without borders and I don't appreciate it. They have destroyed my grass and poop everywhere. All her animals are without borders. It's getting old.......................I'm sure she is saving money, at my expense.

    • @joannc147
      @joannc147 Год назад +8

      @@puttingitogether2816 oh no! That’s horrible 😱 Not the way this should be done at all. I communicate with my neighbors and my chickens typically run into their wooded areas only. I’m all for having fun and I’m pleased the neighborhood kids enjoy watching the hens, but noooo! No damaging gardens! Btw, I’ve had my share of tolerating the damage from their cats who scratch, poop and vomit on my ppty. We work it all out ❤

    • @naymayabiksnibi
      @naymayabiksnibi Год назад +4

      @@puttingitogether2816 😂 at the expense of eggs I would work a deal out with your neighbor.........but it doesn't seem like that is who you are. Too bad for you.

    • @cestmoikim6514
      @cestmoikim6514 Год назад +4

      How do hawks, etc. and foxes, cayotes, etc. not eat your chickens? We have lost a few when we let them out to roam during the day and put them inside their moving coop on wheels in the evening.

  • @j.reneewhite915
    @j.reneewhite915 Год назад +29

    I planted purple sprouting broccoli in July (zone 8b) and put frost cloth over the row from November through February. Every time I'd pull the frost cloth off to give them a check I'd remove all bottom leaves and feed them to my neighbors hens. These greens were devoured quickly. I've since given them all the other brassica greens but they always favor the purple sprouting broccoli greens. The old farmers always say to plant an elderberry right next to the chicken pen. It'll provide shade and protection during the summer months and the hens will eat the berries as they drop which will boost their immune system and prevent a few diseases as well. Raw pumpkin seeds are also antiparasitic for humans and dogs as well.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +5

      I’m not surprised they live the broccoli greens! I like the elderberry idea too!

  • @CFarnwide
    @CFarnwide Год назад +79

    We really don’t keep a “lawn” in the backyard. It’s a variety of ground cover type herbs (oregano, basil, lemon thyme etc.), wildflowers, and dandelions. Dandelions mostly 😂. Anyway, the girls hardly eat any pellet feed during spring, summer, and fall. Whatever is growing back there seems to be keeping them healthy with strong shells!
    My mother taught me the herb trick instead of having lawns. She almost exclusively used lemon thyme… it smelled so heavenly walking through it or mowing it when needed!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +8

      I love that idea!

    • @joannc147
      @joannc147 Год назад +10

      Oh, lemon thyme instead of a lawn! What a great idea!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +9

      @@joannc147 lemon thyme is drought resistant as well. Works well in our Utah climate. 😎

    • @brendamccarta2914
      @brendamccarta2914 Год назад +3

      Will it grow in sandy soils

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад

      @@brendamccarta2914 absolutely! Generally, the poorer the soil, the better it does! This is from a quick google search “The poorer the quality of your soil, the better the growth potential of your thyme plant. The low-maintenance plant does best in dry, sandy, or loamy soil, but it can also flourish in rocky gravel if given the chance. Thyme grows quickly, so keep your plants at least 12-24 inches apart when adding them to your garden.”
      Where I am we have mostly dry, hard packed clay and it grows well in it. The only issue with thyme is it is susceptible to root rot so it should be well drained soil and/or not overwatered.
      Also, being a ground cover foliage, the root systems will help prevent erosion in sandy soils.

  • @nancy5721
    @nancy5721 Год назад +16

    Oh yes! The Japanese beetles!! We're inundated with them in early summer. I hold a bucket of water and tap the branch so they drop into the water before they can fly off. They don't drown at least not for a long time but cannot seem to get out of the water. Then I dump it out on the ground in front of chickens. Yum yum.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      I'll bet they do love them!

    • @Septemberwitch24
      @Septemberwitch24 Год назад

      That's cruel but effective!👍🏻😃

    • @nancy5721
      @nancy5721 Год назад +1

      @@Septemberwitch24 how is it cruel? Chickens eat many ground and air insects alive. They don't have a nervous system to feel pain. I don't see this method as any worse than squashing them under a shoe. Maybe your choice of a word is inaccurate?

    • @Septemberwitch24
      @Septemberwitch24 Год назад

      @@nancy5721
      Hold your panties, Fancy Nancy! I was only joking my dear! 😆

  • @lindacgrace2973
    @lindacgrace2973 Год назад +40

    I am a big believer in "closed loop" gardening. I save the eggshells, grind em up, and feed them back to the chickens.That, together with 'treats' of black soldier fly larvae (which the chickens adore) seem to keep the ladies in good health and laying heavily.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +6

      I agree! Great tips!

    • @lindacgrace2973
      @lindacgrace2973 Год назад +2

      @@HobbyFarmGuys 😊

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +7

      When we first started keeping a flock 10 years ago we had Rhode Island Reds. For some reason they were susceptible to calcium deficiency and soft shells. We did the same as you and saved the shells, washed and dried them, ground them up real quick in a coffee grinder, then mixed it in with their food. Problem solved!
      Our subsequent flocks have never had the issue but we still grind up the shells and sprinkle it throughout the garden when we fertilize.

    • @lindacgrace2973
      @lindacgrace2973 Год назад +4

      @@CFarnwide Sometimes, the simplest most obvious remedies are the best!

    • @jbuck1975
      @jbuck1975 Год назад +1

      I would love to setup black soldier fly thing. Is that all you feed?

  • @kimberlyguimond4186
    @kimberlyguimond4186 Год назад +61

    Don’t forget to ferment your feed! Makes your feed last twice as long.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +5

      👍

    • @joanneholcombe735
      @joanneholcombe735 Год назад +5

      How do u do that?

    • @sheilal3172
      @sheilal3172 Год назад +9

      @@joanneholcombe735 I have 16 hens. I put about 2 cups wheat berries into a 1-gallon bucket. I cover the berries by at LEAST 2 inches of cool water. Less water and they will mold. After a couple of days, you will see tiny bubbles forming on the top of the water. Drain and give to the chicks.

    • @kellyaldridge2095
      @kellyaldridge2095 Год назад +2

      And they love it!

    • @TeresaV
      @TeresaV Год назад +4

      ​@@joanneholcombe735 The lady on Chickenlandia has a pretty good video on how to do it.👍

  • @ronthompson3609
    @ronthompson3609 Год назад +16

    No mention of squash. It's nutritious, easy to store over the winter and the birds love it.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      Very true! There are so many! Maybe a part 2?

  • @sheilal3172
    @sheilal3172 Год назад +9

    My hubby foretold that the chooks will eat better than he does! Truth! Thanks for the information.

  • @troyh5955
    @troyh5955 Год назад +62

    Great stuff guys. Whilst not a crop I also use maggots and black soldier fly for insect protein

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +9

      Great protein supplements! Easy way to get your chickens to literally eat out of your hand!

    • @Septemberwitch24
      @Septemberwitch24 Год назад +6

      I grow huge maggots in the summer, in a tub with a little deer corn in it. Put a lid on it with some holes so the rain will go in. The corn will sour and then rot and it's an "all you can eat buffet" for the flies!👍🏻

    • @shandysgarden
      @shandysgarden Год назад +2

      I really have a problem with maggots and larvae of any kind but I'm going to make a maggot bucket next summer.
      **I'm a little tired of buying the grub Terra dried black soldier fly larvae when I can just suck it up and do it for the girls!

    • @almostoily7541
      @almostoily7541 10 месяцев назад

      I'm thinking about putting a rabbit hutch in covered part of the chicken run.
      Rabbit poo is soldier fly heaven lol
      I keep meal worms in old aquariums for the chickens.

  • @tamieboblitt7324
    @tamieboblitt7324 Год назад +12

    My chickens love spaghetti squash and they store real well

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      My flock loves it too! Good thing…I grew twice as much as I needed a couple of years ago! 😂

  • @mjostout
    @mjostout Год назад +24

    My chickens didn’t like pumpkin or butternut squash, but they love spaghetti squash. I give them some regularly. They are still eating last summer’s crop 🤗

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      Time to plant more squash and get more chickens! 😂

    • @pattymiller8447
      @pattymiller8447 Год назад +1

      My don’t eat it either. They will not eat cabbage either. Mine will eat kale but not lettuce.

    • @cieragalb4736
      @cieragalb4736 Год назад +2

      ​@Patty Miller It sounds ridiculous, but try boiling up your squash and cabbage. Our farm animals tend to be a lot less picky when we give them cooked veggies.

    • @huasonshine4120
      @huasonshine4120 Год назад

      my chickens did not much cake for Zucchini and pumpkins either, but I I found if i soak them overnight with bits of fruit and other scraps they wolf them down, I just cover the scraps an inch or so with water. Sometimes i add a bit of fermented veggies or yogurt, buttermilk or ACV .. and then these scraps go out with their breakfast. they especially love the cucumber water.. and tomato water, and melon water.. They do so love their fancy waters, and whatever scraps are at the bottom are always gone by dinner time.

  • @Riverside_Homestead_Off_Grid
    @Riverside_Homestead_Off_Grid Год назад +13

    Thank you guys! I'm kinda not willing to buy food for us and our animals anymore. I see so many health issues for every human and animal these days. I'm sticking with it and trying to make as much as I can myself.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      Love it!

    • @hamaarahof5712
      @hamaarahof5712 8 месяцев назад

      Such a smart move. I am learning more and more what gets done to our food supply and animal feed. To long to go into details here. Most people have no idea how much poison they feed us and even through the water. So the more we can grow and keep toxic staw and grains of the property, the better. Besides it is fun to see things go full circle. Best of luck 👍

  • @shelleypilcher3812
    @shelleypilcher3812 Год назад +9

    After milking a goat or two , I pour the half or whole half gallon of it in a bowl. The chickens drink it all day. They live it and it's soo healthy for them
    If feed 30 chickens with a gallon.

  • @chernagast6754
    @chernagast6754 Год назад +17

    My chickens help themselves to japanese beetles, june and may beetle grubs, and any earthworms they scratch up. When I work the garden soil in early spring, I like to let my flock in to turn over the soil and find sprouting weed seeds and pests.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      I do the same and they love it!

    • @joannc147
      @joannc147 Год назад +2

      I am in the process of “reclaiming” some ornamental garden to become veg garden. I cut down shrubs and pulled roots. Then I stand back and let my teammates, The Hens, finish the clean-up. They make gardening more fun!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +2

      I have a short clip on my channel featuring our Speckled Sussex “Garden Helpers”. As soon as I put a shovel in the ground they are standing on top of the earth that is going to be turned over and I have to lift them off the ground! Makes gardening a little challenging having to worry about chicken toes in the way 😂

  • @corymullenaux6195
    @corymullenaux6195 Год назад +13

    Cilantro is what I grow. It’s a great green to grow for chickens. Thanks for sharing this information. 🙂👍

  • @markirish7599
    @markirish7599 Год назад +8

    Wonderful video. Thank you. Best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

  • @mycozygardencottage
    @mycozygardencottage Год назад +41

    Some kale went to seed in my garden and sprouted everywhere. But I let a lot of it grow because my chickens can't get enough of it. I grow sunflowers and throw some of the heads to them also. Thanks for mentioning the calendula. I had those and lots of marigolds and never realized I should be giving them to the chickens. I'll start doing that this year for sure.

  • @ronwest7930
    @ronwest7930 Год назад +4

    I read that Romaine lettuce was a superfood and my chickens love it. Purslane makes the yolk really orange.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      I hadn’t heard about Purslane weed affecting the yolk color. I know it is particularly good for growing broiler chickens.

  • @Wosiewose
    @Wosiewose Год назад +24

    Purslane (a common warm-weather weed in many areas) and henbit (a common early-spring weed) are also really nutritious for chickens. (Guess how the latter got its name!) :D

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      Thanks for adding to the list!

    • @curiouscat3384
      @curiouscat3384 11 месяцев назад

      I wish. Last summer my chickens ignored the wild purslane growing in my gravel driveway so I spent a thousand hours weeding it and the spurge weed.

  • @ForestToFarm
    @ForestToFarm Год назад +11

    Good stuff here. We hope to get started with chickens soon. I we hope to provide most of what they eat. Not so much to save money which really helps but mostly to provide the family with the best quality food possible. I am all about eating healthy. Well there are those days I dive into a pile of home made chocolate chip cookies 😮.
    Terry

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      Knowing what is in the food you eat makes the cost worthwhile. Just don’t think about that when eating the cookies! 😉

    • @ForestToFarm
      @ForestToFarm Год назад +4

      @@HobbyFarmGuys In my defense I use organic ingredients to make those cookies, lol.
      Terry

  • @debbiecurtis4146
    @debbiecurtis4146 Год назад +7

    Yes, nodding my head in agreement. And you reminded me that I haven't sprouted anything recently. Although, I also just put some rotted horse manure from the manure pile into a big tray and grow oats out of the horse feed for the chickens. It's gone in seconds with 20 birds. Sunflowers too, are a favorite for all of us, although I'm not sure if the chickens tip their heads up high enough to appreciate the beauty, LOL.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      😂 Thanks for sharing!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +1

      We put sunflowers on the garden list this year. We’ve never grown them before and have no idea what they yield. How many would I want to plant in order to make it worthwhile as a regular treat for the ladies? I’m envisioning a five or ten pound bag… am I being a bit too optimistic?

  • @DiFish-z6n
    @DiFish-z6n Год назад +4

    Thank you for asking the viewers to comment their suggestions!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      We love to hear viewers thoughts and opinions! It’s one of our favorite parts of this adventure!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +2

      And it’s not just idle talk either. They really mean it! They have put together several videos on topics I suggested 😎

  • @SourceLeadership
    @SourceLeadership Год назад +2

    I can't like this video (and most of the helpful comments) enough! Thanks guys!

  • @mountainmama7823
    @mountainmama7823 Год назад +7

    I am trying a variety of amaranth this year that is a high grain producer and self sows. Also sprouted some Moringa trees indoors in my zone 8a that I plan to move outside. Heard the Moringa is a superfood so hoping to add this for both human and chicken consumption. Duckweed I heard was great and reproduces fast as well.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      Amaranth is great, just make sure it is dried before feeding to chickens. I’ve heard lots about the benefits of Moringa, unfortunately not much chance of growing it outside in our zone. Duckweed is an excellent source of nutrients and does grow fast. It’s one of the weeds featured in our video on feeding weeds to your chickens:
      12 Weeds That Can Feed Your Chickens For Free!
      ruclips.net/video/wSgyv-Km7yQ/видео.html

  • @thefrenchgardener1865
    @thefrenchgardener1865 Год назад +25

    This video is great and timely as many of us are planning our Spring gardens....need to order a few new seeds....thanks guys....great job once again!

  • @quincyberman5629
    @quincyberman5629 2 месяца назад +1

    I have many but my favorites are bananas and pigeon pea/cowpeas. I like these because they are so easy to grow and produce well. I feed them the whole plant when I thin out the bunches or harvest the fruit. I coarsely chop the plant with a machete and the birds do the rest. The structure is stringy like grass, it has a lot of water and not too sure but I think the plant has some potassium as well as the fruit. For me the pigeon peas only produce once for the year but in a couple flushes so a nice yield. Cowpeas are good because I stagger planting them for a constant yield to keep the pea supply from getting too low. I guess rice is another big one for me. I read that too much rice can make yolks pale, I haven't had a problem though. I think that maybe from eating white rice, I use the whole grain sprouted soaked and dry.

  • @Melissa-gn3dv
    @Melissa-gn3dv Год назад +10

    Last year I grew field corn and fed the whole plant to my chickens. They ate everything but the stalk. It was easy to grow a lot of it. I also fed them lambs quarters which is a weed. We ate it too. It tastes like spinach. I ground some of the field corn into corn meal for us as well. I'm no expert on this subject, but my chickens didn't seem to have any problems with this.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      They shouldn’t have a problem…it is great food for them!

  • @MichelleMcDines
    @MichelleMcDines Год назад +3

    My chickens got into my vegetable patch and demolished the chard first. So over the winter I left the gate open for them and they've had a good munch on the kale plants - which all ended up looking like miniature palm trees as the chickens ate all the leaves off as high as they could reach. They also nibbled all my Brussel sprouts on the stems so I couldn't eat any of them - but then didn't want to eat the rest of them when I pulled up the stems and left them near their coop - contrary madams!! I'm definitely going to dedicate part of my garden to growing all these crops you've mentioned, then I can let the girls loose in there as things are ripe to help themselves while hopefully leaving the rest of the veggie garden for me!!

  • @amyteurlife9408
    @amyteurlife9408 10 месяцев назад +1

    All of the above. Mostly vulnerable at home, but victim or hero in public as needed to meet his goals. After 27 years i also realize some grandiosity!

  • @brightantwerp
    @brightantwerp Год назад +6

    Thanks! I just discovered you, because of Chickenlandia mentioning you. Subscribed.

  • @bbthomas4807
    @bbthomas4807 Год назад +24

    Spot on content gentlemen! Absolutely perfect timing for this subject!! Thank you much and God bless you all through your day!!

  • @augustrain5500
    @augustrain5500 Год назад +22

    Wonderful video HFGs! I learned a lot. My girls fav has always been fresh melon. They can decimate a cantaloupe or small watermelon in no time!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      My flock will devour melons too! Definitely their favorite!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +3

      Overly ripe cucumbers were our ladies favorite last fall. They were far past suitable for human consumption but the girls sure loved the huge seeds in them!

  • @saltyshieldmaiden
    @saltyshieldmaiden Год назад +2

    My girls LOVE the Valerian and catnip I grow

  • @musicteacher5757
    @musicteacher5757 Год назад +18

    I grow duckweed, in my rainbarrels and other containers. The chickens love it, and it's high in protein. Caveat: I'm down in Florida, I don't know how far north this grows.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      Great idea!

    • @kathleensanderson3082
      @kathleensanderson3082 Год назад +2

      I'm in south-central Kentucky, and at least one of the kinds of duckweed grows here -- we have some in the small natural pond on the property. I plan to move some to barrels and another container up closer to the house, so I can more easily harvest it for poultry feed.

    • @ronallens6204
      @ronallens6204 Год назад +1

      I know for fact it grows up to lake Erie, duck weed probably grows alot higher

    • @jeanettecase1687
      @jeanettecase1687 Год назад +2

      It grows vigorously in the foothills of the coast range in the Mid-Willamette Valley in Oregon

    • @hamaarahof5712
      @hamaarahof5712 8 месяцев назад

      It grows well in our aquariums, so any area can and all year long 😊

  • @ajb.822
    @ajb.822 Год назад +6

    I would add that if u hunt or have friends who do nearby, they ( chickens) will pick a deer carcasses pretty clean. My friend's taught me this, they just toss it in the pen and leave it there until they're done with it. Seem a little gross and fester-ey ( and by all means be careful to do this as wisely & cautiously as one should, esp. where you're a lot warmer than west/central WI in late Nov. ) but they've had no problems and have done this for years. With a large extended family all hunting on their farm, they have a lot of deer carcasses, too. Just piled up in a space in the (fairly cool) shed near the coop, waiting their turn. Ditto on any fat/tallow/suet trimmings from any butchering.
    Another thing is to make large compost piles, preferably within a ring of wire mesh fencing to corral things a bit, and scatter grains/seeds in them as you pile it all. Do this with access for the chickens to turn and eat what they fine in there, they eat fungal threads too, so, not just bugs, worms or grains, plants and food scraps out of it. Karl Hammer does this on a gigantic scale & Edible Acres ( YT channel) does it on a more modest, homestead scale ( minus the wire rings for them & they import food waste from their locale ) & permaculture master Geoff Lawton does it on many scales. Perma Pastures & many others do this with the wire mesh on a family size scale. U can add animal manures and grass clippings, leaves, anything u can from your property to help generate a large, active pile with a lot going on for the chickens to eat of.
    As for the things on your list, I would especially focus on things which readily reseed themselves in your climate, if not growing again that season, will come spring ( like lettuces). Or are perennials like alfalfa. If you have a large enough area to dedicate to this, I would have a mix of all sorts of plants, at least those together in a sub-area which grow well together ( 1 doesn't shade out all the rest or something too soon) which u can then rotate your chickens through all summer, using the portable electric poultry netting &/or a mobile coop or something.

  • @tabp8448
    @tabp8448 Год назад +8

    Great video! Thanks for all the ideas. Comfrey as well is good for them and they love it. I make comfrey "hay" for them for the winter.

    • @tabp8448
      @tabp8448 Год назад +3

      Ha! Just got to the part of the video where you mention comfrey

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      😁 thanks for watching!

  • @nancy5721
    @nancy5721 Год назад +7

    Last summer the horned tomato piller which looks so vicious are a favorite to them.
    I'm trusting that they know what not to eat as I've given them some small worms/ caterpillars that they refuse to eat.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      I don't think they would cause a problem...but sometime chickens do eat things that they shouldn't!

    • @tabp8448
      @tabp8448 Год назад +8

      I think they know what NOT to eat.... except that pesky Styrofoam insulation .... why do they love that stuff? I didn't know they would eat it, but have since eliminated it anywhere they can reach it.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      @@tabp8448 I know! You would think styrofoam tastes like candy to a chicken! 😂

    • @tabp8448
      @tabp8448 Год назад +4

      @@HobbyFarmGuys my head hen is ALWAYS complaining that she (or they) needs something, I believe it usually starts with "I want foam"..she's been in the garage many times, and acts like she's just picking up feed that I've dropped, but EVERYTIME I turn my back, she runs to the wall that has that Styrofoam insulation!.😳
      🤣🤣🤣.Go back outside, lady!🤣🤣🤣

    • @Septemberwitch24
      @Septemberwitch24 Год назад +1

      @@HobbyFarmGuys
      Probably tastes about like those rice cakes!😄

  • @bradmaxwell6843
    @bradmaxwell6843 Год назад +7

    I'm a first time viewer, and I love it😀 Keep up the good work 👍

  • @Klv0420
    @Klv0420 Год назад +1

    We are looking forward to learning from you both :)

  • @curiouscat3384
    @curiouscat3384 11 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks guys - great presentation! I've had experience with all of these items in my 1/2 acre chicken food forest :) I don't try to grow grains much because they require so much real estate and labor to get a few cups of grain (especially corn which is very low volume per square foot). My girls don't touch comfrey until the fall/winter shoulder when there's very little else green growing. They love plain old fescue grass, but don't touch the calendula or lambs quarters. They LOVE anything brassica which I learned the first time I left my kitchen garden gate open and they DEVOURED the broccoli, brussels, cabbage and arugula in less than an hour. Kale is a great cut and come again sturdy plant that manages to survive chickens if caged for "rotational grazing" and overwinters in zone 7B-8A depending on amount of snow and ice which is very little in my region, This past week of temps in single digits at night the arugula survived! I feed extra eggs and eggsdhells back to them but this last polar event they stopped laying so I'm expanding my mealworm bins to provide more protein when the ground is frozen. And if your yard is big enough, Let the leaves remain in place or - every Thksgvg I import about 30 big leaf bags from around the neighborhood and have a whole side yard that is nothing but leaf mulch. Keeps the soil warm making a nice winter habitat for beetles and worms easy to scratch up.

  • @wakeupandhuman1800
    @wakeupandhuman1800 Год назад +13

    Great, informative, and to the point! Thank you

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +3

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @frankieboy2417
    @frankieboy2417 Год назад +3

    Here's the best Don't judge a book by its cover example, Steve there looks like he could clear a bar or at least is thinking about it, lol. Good vid Fellas. I don't have the patience for composting but do have a large pile, what I do though is ferment the weeds I pull, I stuff them into a bucket, fill them with water cover and wait two weeks to a month. You would not believe the difference in the end result.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      Steve is very much a gentle giant. Though he probably could clear a bar if he decided to. 😂 Thanks for sharing!

  • @greatfulchristian4314
    @greatfulchristian4314 Год назад +1

    Ty hobby farm guys! Can’t wait to plant these for our chickens!

  • @WelcometoChickenlandia
    @WelcometoChickenlandia Год назад +8

    This is wonderful information. I love it! ❤

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      Thanks for the kind words! We’re glad you enjoyed it!

  • @darincooper7602
    @darincooper7602 Год назад +14

    Excellent content! Thanks guys!!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @TeresaV
    @TeresaV Год назад +8

    It's actually pronounced nuh-stur-shm. 😊 Heidi over at Rain Country inspired me to try growing it myself this year. She says the leaves taste peppery. I'm super excited to try growing my own chicken feed. Where we live, free ranging is not a good idea. I'm hoping the Quinoa, Amaranth, Job's Tears etc grows well. Praying the 2023 gardening season isn't as brutal as the one last year. God bless, everybody. Hope all your gardens and chickens prosper!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      Awesome! Thank you! We’ve been corrected several times, starting with our editor!😂

    • @TeresaV
      @TeresaV Год назад +2

      @@HobbyFarmGuys 😅

    • @kathynix6552
      @kathynix6552 Год назад +1

      Is Job’s Tears good for chickens - leaves and seeds?

    • @TeresaV
      @TeresaV Год назад

      @@kathynix6552 Idk for sure. My first time growing it. It has many uses.

  • @karenball9482
    @karenball9482 Год назад +8

    When people give you gigantic zucchini you don't really want, I would shred and freeze. Throwing out a quart of frozen zucchini the chickens would eat that before even corn and grains or chicken feed. Yeah I spoiled them by grating it, but they appreciated it.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      It’s okay to spoil them. I do exactly the same thing!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +1

      Now I know exactly what to do with squash and zucchini the neighbors are always giving us! I’ve personally never grown them because it seems everyone else does and grow far more than they need and are begging people to take it off their hands. 😉

  • @dr.lucikidd2208
    @dr.lucikidd2208 2 месяца назад +1

    AMAZING video packed with useful information to consider for my flock -thank you!

  • @lindaarnold3091
    @lindaarnold3091 8 месяцев назад +1

    This is so helpful. I have grown sunflowers, corn and various lettuce and greens for my chickens. Also, last winter I sprouted wheat berries and they loved them! I just started a new batch every week to stay ahead of the time needed to sprout and grow.

  • @hamaarahof5712
    @hamaarahof5712 8 месяцев назад +1

    Those are great suggestions! Looked some of these plants up first for their healing properties and now grow extra as feed for goats, chickens and KuneKune pigs. Also great option to get away from the toxin glyphosate, now in just about every food in stores. 👍

  • @Wakeywhodat
    @Wakeywhodat 11 месяцев назад +1

    Your videos are well written, thank you. I’ve been supplementing with cooked pinto beans and rice. Each day they get a 2 lb. Yogurt container and they absolutely love them. I boil 4 cups of beans for about an hour. (They still have just a bit of hardness. ) I then add 2 cups of rice and 1/4 cup of crushed red pepper flakes and simmer another 20 minutes. When cool I portion into the yogurt containers and refrigerate. I started this about a week after their laying slowed this winter and they immediately started laying again.

  • @johnhildenbrand2642
    @johnhildenbrand2642 Год назад +5

    Don't forget that planting an acre or two of sunflowers and millet will get you a bonus protein in the form of a nice dove shoot to knock the rust off both you and your shotgun before upland and waterfowl seasons start

  • @riahsrabbitry9268
    @riahsrabbitry9268 Год назад +24

    I’ve heard marigolds give chickens dark orange yolks. I’m also going to try growing sorghum this year. I’m hoping that crop will provide slot of feed for my chickens and rabbits

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +12

      Marigolds and Calendulas are very similar, and from the same family. So yes, your chickens will love them and have very orange yolks as a result!

    • @aphillips5376
      @aphillips5376 Год назад +1

      I am also. Looking forward to the attempt

    • @riahsrabbitry9268
      @riahsrabbitry9268 Год назад +1

      @@jadwaine it’s only in the roots and sprouts. I’d only feed the berries for chickens and leaves for rabbits which are safe. Thank you for sharing.

    • @selecttravelvacations7472
      @selecttravelvacations7472 9 месяцев назад

      Anything with Carotenoids in their make up can add to this. For some reason even greens add to the dark orange yolks I’ve noticed. Squash and pumpkin as well.

  • @jillclark1744
    @jillclark1744 Год назад +5

    Nasturtium I love but could not grow in a hot humid climate because it attracted aphids. Doesn't seem to do that in zones 7and lower. I never thought of growing chicory but I will be adding it this spring. Thanks for all the good info.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      👍

    • @sheilal3172
      @sheilal3172 Год назад +3

      the nasturtiums could be a good trap crop for the aphids. The chooks might love them.

  • @jackieo8693
    @jackieo8693 Год назад +4

    thank you for the info!

  • @sandrajohnston9745
    @sandrajohnston9745 Год назад +3

    Great info. Thanks for the video.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @teddybear101z
    @teddybear101z Год назад +7

    loved the video was glad to find that you put a list out thanks so much

  • @bettyadkisson1681
    @bettyadkisson1681 Год назад +1

    Thank you so much for the information I pass it on too my friend for his chickens 😅

  • @jesusguevara5276
    @jesusguevara5276 Год назад +12

    Consider adding quail and pheasant to your backyard flocks. They are both dual purpose/ eggs and meat.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      I agree!

    • @Lucy-qc4iz
      @Lucy-qc4iz Год назад +3

      I'm adding guinea fowl to my flock this year, hope this goes well! We have A LOT of ticks I need them to eat!!!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      They are great at eating the ticks! Steve didn’t like them because of the noise!

    • @MadelineVail
      @MadelineVail Год назад

      Have you actually kept pheasant? We have had some neighbors that try and they just disappear. How do you keep them around? Or are they caged?

  • @Jane-West
    @Jane-West Год назад +1

    Excellent! Thanks guys!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

  • @Lynandherlilfriends
    @Lynandherlilfriends Год назад +4

    Great video. Thanks for sharing. We have many Calendula around the yard. I do not know that we can feed them to chickens. Kale is our long timr favorite. Very easy yo grow.

  • @Nic-kx5dn
    @Nic-kx5dn Год назад +1

    I add a little tumeric to the veg scraps,mint spring onion and parsley but not every day,variety is what seems to make our 3 bantams happy,.I add flax seed chia and hemp,.Make them a warm mash using carrot and pumpkin and they love that.Oyster shell is a must x soils sands and free ranging out in the veg garden.Fruits good and water melon for cooling,...everthing natural .no meat no processed foods..enjoy and keep your chickens free of pests with variety of herbs.❤❤❤

  • @emmadaisydreamcarter1653
    @emmadaisydreamcarter1653 Год назад +10

    Great video. I already grow most of these on my allotment but haven't tried all of them with my chickens so that's given me some ideas 👍

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      Glad we could help! Sounds like
      An awesome garden!

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +8

      If you are new to the channel The Hobby Farm Guys published a couple videos a while ago… “Herbs to grow for chickens” and “Healthy pasture for chickens”. I’d highly recommend watching them. They gave me tons of ideas!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +6

      Thanks for the endorsement! Here is the herb video:
      7 Herbs For Happy & Healthy Chickens
      ruclips.net/video/JmSlrhGIiFY/видео.html

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +6

      And here is the healthy pasture video:
      Planting A Healthy Pasture For Chickens & Other Poultry
      ruclips.net/video/-g6YrARlUiI/видео.html

    • @CFarnwide
      @CFarnwide Год назад +3

      @@HobbyFarmGuys I’d recommend adding the links in the video description 😉

  • @carbro6334ify
    @carbro6334ify Год назад +5

    My chickens love sunflower seeds

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      Very popular treat for my flock as well!

  • @christiethomas6905
    @christiethomas6905 Год назад +3

    Thank you!!

  • @kenfarley957
    @kenfarley957 11 месяцев назад +1

    In Fl I grow bananas and chickens love to eat the leaves. Also, chickweed, and purple hull peas. I've raised several breeds, and they all won't like the same things.

  • @lynneknapp7280
    @lynneknapp7280 Год назад +1

    Very helpful, thank you. Going to save this to watch and refresh my memory!

  • @tinaharris7382
    @tinaharris7382 Год назад +1

    AWESOME VIDEO 🩵👏🏻 Thank y’all!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

  • @littlechefnicole
    @littlechefnicole Год назад +7

    Thank you guys for making this video! It was So helpful.

  • @johnportwood6223
    @johnportwood6223 Год назад +1

    Thanks again for a wonderful video

  • @WollongongSkyWatch
    @WollongongSkyWatch Год назад +1

    Rose petals are another favourite. A good thing chooks can't jump high lol

  • @anndennis7163
    @anndennis7163 Год назад +1

    Oregano is also recommended for it's antibiotic properties and making yolks yellow. It also grows like crazy here in Wisconsin. My birds also go after creeping charlie but not as much as other weeds.

  • @melaniemoultrie6676
    @melaniemoultrie6676 Год назад +1

    Thanks for the information guys! We just brought our daughter 12 chicks about 3 weeks or so ago. She is loving them at her recently purchased old country farm house. ;0))) Thanks for all the GREAT information!!🤗

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      That is awesome! Thanks for watching and for sharing!

  • @debmichelleparks3538
    @debmichelleparks3538 Год назад +1

    It was the 1st and I did subscribe! In fact your intro made me subscribe before I even watched the video, lol!

  • @daylematthews
    @daylematthews Год назад +1

    Brilliant - loved this list of things to grow - some i already have growing and didn't know chickens would eat e.g. nasturtiums

  • @smallspaceswithGloria
    @smallspaceswithGloria Год назад +4

    Great information 😊 thank you 😊

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thank you for watching!

  • @jillwright8196
    @jillwright8196 Год назад +3

    This is fantastic information, thanks so much!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @solaura6218
    @solaura6218 Год назад +7

    Verily it is far better to let your chickens eat your garden than for you to eat it. You can eat what plants the chickens leave. Chickens will keep your garden very well fertilized & nearly bug free. They will til your garden for you. Hogs are even better for all of the above
    You just relax with your chicken soup & bacon & eggs.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +4

      😂 Until I want Brussels sprouts and the flock has eaten them all. Then I have to settle for the chicken soup!

    • @solaura6218
      @solaura6218 Год назад +1

      @@HobbyFarmGuys . . It will be chicken soup fit for a King! Imagine eggs with yolks as bright orange as marigold!

  • @meganbilling938
    @meganbilling938 Год назад +1

    Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge, I learnt heaps 👏

  • @MyBearhugger
    @MyBearhugger 2 месяца назад

    Awesome video! What a great list and I have discovered my birds love many of the crops you suggested. Two more I've also recently discovered that also sprout well - millet and buckwheat. Or sometimes I'll soak the seed mix for a day until the seeds are well hydrated and dump the whole thing out without draining (not too much so they consume it within the day) as the buckwheat seems to ferment very well and quickly. The probiotics in the mixture is supposed to be great for their little guts! The reason for not giving them any that's left over into the next day is that sometimes fermented seeds or feed of any sort has a tendency to mold if left for long.

  • @DiFish-z6n
    @DiFish-z6n Год назад +3

    Thank you for this wonderful list!

  • @traceyclark2125
    @traceyclark2125 9 месяцев назад +1

    I’ve grown millet and my chickens enjoyed them.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  9 месяцев назад

      I’m sure they did! Many types of millet are great for chickens!

  • @chriswhite9267
    @chriswhite9267 Год назад +4

    I cook my small potato's in the skins to help them feel full.

  • @samsonolal4399
    @samsonolal4399 Год назад +1

    Good job my people

  • @adminservices9019
    @adminservices9019 10 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you for all this help and information. I would love to see a video how to properly grow all these natural foods for chickens and livestock. Thank you again for all the info and I will be watching more!!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  10 месяцев назад

      Great suggestion! Thanks for watching!

  • @MwilaNamfukwe-w4p
    @MwilaNamfukwe-w4p 2 месяца назад +1

    Great 👌 stuff guys very interesting and educative all ingredients are within reach
    Thanks

  • @dexterking7662
    @dexterking7662 Год назад +6

    Billy from perma pastures farm been talking about comfrey plant for years I have to start planting them this year thanks guys for more info

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @gardenstatesowandsew
    @gardenstatesowandsew Год назад +2

    Thank you. I’m new to chickens and I am looking forward to growing a lot of things they enjoy ❤

  • @gratefulgardens8398
    @gratefulgardens8398 Год назад +1

    My dog also loves pumpkin.

  • @catezaida8081
    @catezaida8081 Год назад +6

    New subscriber! Thanks for this excellent video. My fav crop for my chicks is barley fodder, but I am about to embark on growing a lot more. Thank you for the ideas.

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @justinsane7128
    @justinsane7128 Год назад +7

    Well done 👍

  • @peforster6725
    @peforster6725 Год назад +10

    Amaranth is another good plant

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +2

      It sure is! Also easy to grow.

    • @joannc147
      @joannc147 Год назад +2

      Glad to see your post on this! I’ve purchased seeds to try this year 👍🏻

    • @joannc147
      @joannc147 Год назад +2

      @What Up I did not know this! Thx.

  • @gaynorarmash4579
    @gaynorarmash4579 Год назад +1

    Thank you, 😊

  • @KugelKatzenFisch
    @KugelKatzenFisch Год назад +3

    Awesome! Thank you!

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @9realitycheck9
    @9realitycheck9 Год назад +1

    An aged Compost Pile of yard, garden, kitchen and market waste... rich in seeds, worms & insects is a chicken favorite!!

  • @2010Sanctuary
    @2010Sanctuary Год назад +3

    Thank you, very helpful!

  • @petergraves9006
    @petergraves9006 Год назад +1

    I’ve had nasturtiums for years Didn’t know I could feed it to my chickens thanks for the info

  • @cynthiabouffard5095
    @cynthiabouffard5095 Год назад +1

    Great info ! Thanks

    • @HobbyFarmGuys
      @HobbyFarmGuys  Год назад +1

      You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

  • @tonykatieherres9991
    @tonykatieherres9991 9 месяцев назад +1

    Very educational thank you❤❤