It’s that blissful time of year again! Garden centers are getting in flats of Pansies and early spring vegetables. The snow peas are planted and the asparagus is making it’s way through the cool spring soil like blades of green triumph. It’s garden season!
Chickens, in addition to laying eggs and being adorable, can also aid in your gardening endeavors. They will turn waste from your kitchen and garden into fertilizer. They provide nitrogen rich manure which helps develop green, robust leaves in plants. Chickens will also help you turn compost by scratching and pecking through the piles.
In addition to helping in the garden, there are plenty of ways to garden FOR your chickens. Home grown chicken gardens can provide free food, healthy treats and even some natural, medicinal aids for your flock.
Chickens love to scratch, peck and sort through organic matter. They use their feet like little rakes, looking for insects and bits of scraps yet to be broken down. The turning that they do in the compost pile helps break down the vegetation faster. It delivers oxygen to the microbes in the compost and mixes the uncomposted bits into the pile.
Using Chicken Manure in the Garden
Chickens provide wonderful nitrogen rich fertilizer through their droppings and soiled bedding. But there are a few processes that should be done to chicken manure before adding it to your plants and edible vegetables. Learn how to compost chicken manure properly so it is safe for you and your garden.
Gardening WITH Chickens
Here are some readers stories of how their hens help in the garden!
Gardening FOR Chickens
Plant a garden for your chickens! Learn what chickens like to eat from the garden, what is safe and healthy and how to care for these plants.
Using Garden Features to Decorate your Coop
Give your coop curb appeal with garden elements. Plant a living roof or decorate with cottage flowers!
Using Egg Shells in the Garden
Not only do chickens provide manure for the garden, but their egg shells can be used in many ways as well! Learn how in the following posts.
Do your chickens help out in the garden? Share your experiences by leaving a comment below or visiting the Community Chickens Facebook Page.