We are trying to perfect this system, too,
but with the intention of combining grain production with the
chicken-system, using closely-monitored rotation pens. The idea is to
favor the earthworm population. For this reason, we calculate a maximum
of 5 days in each pen, and a minimum of 40 days rotation cycle ( which is the
cycle of the earthworm). I am working towards a 12-pen rotation, to have
a two-month cycle, giving time for annual plants to be big enough
to resist the chicken´s second passage ( corn, sesame, sunflower, pigeon pea).
In our small-scale systems, we have harvested high-quality corn from such
pens.
I have observed, however, that in many of the
existing systems I have seen, the chickens tend to hang around the hen house,
digging holes in the soil, than to use the whole area. I remember that
my free-ranging chickens had a definite territory, and wonder if this is the
case. The other possibility is that in the existing systems,
low grass has been planted, and the chickens seem loath to venture into it (
as it is higher than they are), preferring to eat it away at the edges. Fear
of predators hidden in the grass? (in this case, snakes...)
In the systems we planted with tall canegrass
and fruit trees, they seem to occupy better the whole area, but then we
had many more head per meter than we intend with these commercial
systems.
As I am now adapting these smaller backyard
systems to larger commercial systems, I am looking for some clear data or
personal experiences on this, because my doubt is , if we have more heads and
a larger area, will they actually and effectively occupy this whole area, or
just pile up ( as I have seen until now) near the henhouse, and leave the
edges of the pens untouched..
I have also noticed that the short-legged races (
New Hampshire, Plymouth, etc.) have smaller territories than the long-legged
varieties ( the "local" chickens, which lay only 20 eggs before going
broody...)
Does anyone "out there" know what the
territory size is for these chickens, and how many square
meters we need to calculate per head per 5 days so that the system will not
degrade ( this in humid tropics, good soil...)
We have an agronomist working on this in a
landless settlement, but if I could get upfront data on this, it might
accelerate the process..
Thanks for the help.
Marsha
This spring I started working on establishment of a
chicken forage system - an alternative to chicken tractors, that we also use.
Our layers have a strong temper and do not want to be in a tractor, so this
was an attempt to grow enough forage on a large enough area to satisfy needs
of 15 hens and turkey-guinea tribe. Our meat chickens are still in a tractor,
working different areas.
One of the imperatives for my forage forest was to
combine it with a food forest and many herbs, that I use for teas and
medicine.
I am in the high desert, zone 2, near a river, flood
irrigation.
Here is my plant list:
Ground covers:
White Dutch
Clover
Red Strawberry Clover
Grass ( existing)
Hairy
vetch
Strawberries
Bulbs - day lilies, irises, etc
Radishes, other
brassicas (hopefully will
reseed)
Herbs
Bergamot
Nettles
Yarrow
Comfrey
Rhubarb
Clary
sage
Shrubs
Plums
Siberian
Pea
Raspberries
Gooseberries
Saskatoon (Service berry)
Sea buck
thorn
Sand cherry
Trees
Apples
Peaches
Pear
Black locust
(existing 50' overstory)
Mulberry
The area is about 1/2 acre, shaded
and protected from the elements.
For ground cover I also used
lettuce, that germinated and grew better that it ever grows in the garden. A
friend's idea was that in a desert survival is more important that space, so
plants like being grown close together until established, and than can be
thinned. Chicory did not germinate at all, neither did quinoa. Lettuce is gone
by now, but clover is looking great.
Chickens started grazing it with much
gusto since mid June, without a visible impact, as they are not
confined.
I am interested to know what other people use for poultry
forage. I would like to reduce commercial food use as much as possible.
thanks
Arina
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