My plan for a constant supply of growing greens for the chickens

The turfs that I had cut up into seeds tray are now working well. I put one tray in the run each day and the chickens peck out all of the green within a very short time. It then looks very brown but within a few days, it starts to green up again. As there are twelve trays, I hope that when the last brown comes out of the run the first rejuvenated  green one will be ready to go back in.

The grass in the trays on the right are now regrowing

The trays on the right were really brown a few days ago, but are now regrowing nicely.

I had the idea of doing the same thing with the pots inside their enclosure. They had a pot of herbs which has been in with them for five weeks now and has been reduced to just stalks and a pot of nasturtiums, which has also been pecked to bits.

Only the stalks remain in the herb pot

The nasturtiums have been obliterated

I decided to replace the herbs with a fresh pot of parsley and I have two pots of mint that have been on our patio for many years. I thought I would put one pot in the enclosure and when it has been stripped I will exchange it for the second pot. As mint grows back quickly, I hope this will give them a constant supply and it uses something I already had.

A pot of mint replaces the nasturtiums

Another pot of mint to switch with the first when it needs to regrow

I replaced the herb pot with a pot of parsley and the girls found it straight away.

Treacle finds the parsley

Now they have all found the parsley

I was quite pleased with myself until I returned an hour later and found this.

The parsley has all gone already

Back to the drawing board on the herbs. I have removed the pot to regrow, at least the mint is established and a bit tougher so hopefully will last a little longer.

Next year instead of sweet peas on the outside of their enclosure, I will grow a row of nasturtiums, so that they will grow through for the chickens to peck at.

Other news is, Bluebell at bedtime last night, sat on my lap for about ten minutes instead of  constantly getting on and off. She only jumped down when I tried to stroke her. She sits there looking up at me and I talk softly to her. It is funny how she is the only one so far, that likes to do this.