What it is…
My chickens have their own garden! Well, kind of! I have a coop, covered run, and a fenced chicken area. Connected to the fence I have a garden. That garden is used for people fruits and veggies but everything is safe for the chickens! While I garden, the chickens stand at the fence and wait for me to throw herbs, flowers, weeds, bugs and veggies over the fence. At the end of the harvest season, I open their door so they can have access to the garden during the fall and winter. Not only is it a great way to keep them busy, but they help clean it out for the next growing season!
My Favorite Garden Supplies
I love starting my own seeds. I have been doing it for years and my favorite seed starting supplies come from Epic Gardening! They work hard to make sure they are sturdy and last for years. I love the seed cells and trays. You can literally stand on them and they won’t collapse!
I also love the Birdies Raised Beds because 1. I’m getting old and don’t like bending, and 2. They are made really well and look beautiful in the garden! Raised beds means less weeding. I just mow in between the beds!
You can find amazing seeds at Botanical Interests and even check out my Purely Chickens Seed Bundle!
You can use my code “purelychickens” on any of those garden supplies!
What I’m Growing in 2024
My parents live next door and my dad and I share a people garden! We love growing eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, corn, zucchini and many others! But, here is what is in my chicken garden…
-Garlic & Onions: (both will be harvested before the chickens get to them…feed in moderation)
-Marigolds: great for golden yolks and garden pest repellents
-Ground Cherries: New this year for us but I have read that chickens love them!
-Lettuce: Mostly for us but if the bugs get any, the chickens will love them!
-Berries: We planted bushes last year and are excited to see if they come back after our goats got in and ate them to the ground!!
-Cauliflower/Broccoli
-Cucamelons: New for us but we can’t wait to try them! We’ll leave some on the vine for the chickens to find.
-Oregano, Basil, Cilantro: Great immune boosters
-Lavender: I will be drying lavender for the nest boxes!
-Cucumber: We’ll harvest enough for pickling then leave the rest for the chickens to find!
-Pumpkin: This year we will be growing suger pie pumpkins to can. The chickens will get some saved in the cellar for winter snacks!
-Beans: We actually don’t love green beans so most of these will get left for them!
-Corn: Chickens will sell their own mother to get to peck an ear of corn clean!
-Sunflowers: Not only a beautiful addition to any garden, but the chickens love the seeds which are full of vitamin E, magnesium and methionine.
-Nasturtium: A great companion plant for pulling bugs away from other plants. The chickens benefit from them as well!
Tell us in the comments what you grow for your chickens!
Waiting impatiently for a treat over the fence!
Our goats love coming in for a treat!
