This might fall into the obvious Duhhh, you don’t say camp, but sometimes the simplest things are the smartest. And we all like pictures of cute little chickens, so hear me out for a second.
Oftentimes when I feed my flock their fermented grains, I scoop them into a separate dish before I serve them. I do this because the dish is already in the kitchen, and I just want to make a single trip to the coop to release and feed the girls.
But lately, with my garden exploding in greens, I’ve been taking the tiny extra step of harvesting a leaf from my collard crop and filling it with fermented feed. In essence I’m making those same collard wraps that are so popular on paleo blogs and in health food restaurants… and chickens can’t get enough of them either.
You can use any kind of green from your garden… switch it up with a lettuce cup or cabbage bowl some days, or serve a dollop of yogurt or oatmeal or freshly scrambled eggs in it.
As you can see, the ladies love going to town on the grains and they get a little palate cleanser in the end as they devour the leaf too.
You’re left with no messes and no dirty dishes to wash. It’s almost like the feeding never happened. Which is how my chickens usually look at me, heads cocked to one side, wondering where their next treat is.
10 Comments
Anna
June 12, 2015 at 11:16 amThis is a wonderful idea for a fun chicken treat- and boy the chickens seem to really love it too! I especially love the idea of using the wraps to snuggle your fermented grains- that’s a treat in a treat! The hens here are absolutely nutty about their fermented grains, so I’ll have to try this within some green leaves and see how they love it too. Maybe adding some fresh herb sprigs in there too- like parsley or thyme.
Linda Ly
June 23, 2015 at 11:32 amMy chickens love fresh herbs, so I’ll give them some basil or parsley (or their flowers) when I prune my plants.
theGardenBetty
March 15, 2015 at 9:01 pmHumans aren’t the only ones who love a green wrap. Chicken-Keeping Tips and Tricks: Collard Wraps http://t.co/24eGWZ7G2R #backyardchickens
adamcortell
March 14, 2015 at 9:54 pmRT @theGardenBetty: Feeding time with all the treats and none the mess. Chicken-Keeping Tips and Tricks: Collard Wraps http://t.co/5MNTq1LH…
theGardenBetty
March 14, 2015 at 3:01 pmFeeding time with all the treats and none the mess. Chicken-Keeping Tips and Tricks: Collard Wraps http://t.co/5MNTq1LHTm #backyardpoultry
theGardenBetty
March 14, 2015 at 9:01 amSwitch it up with a lettuce cup or cabbage bowl too. Chicken-Keeping Tips and Tricks: Collard Wraps http://t.co/yDEdWiGQtj #gardenchat
thefolia
March 13, 2015 at 3:18 pmEnjoy your explosion of greens! Happy Nesting.
Jay
March 13, 2015 at 2:00 pmGreat idea! Will keep in mind when we get our girls 🙂
Cary Bradley
March 13, 2015 at 12:32 pmBrilliant! My husband is pretty fastidious and doesn’t love the idea of me leaving our kitchen bowls out in the chicken run and consequently, I have to remember to bring the girls’ bowl to the house with me or make an extra trip. Using growing veg bowls is perfect@!! Thanks!!!
theGardenBetty
March 13, 2015 at 12:01 pmJust like those ones in health food restaurants. 😉 Chicken-Keeping Tips and Tricks: Collard Wraps http://t.co/szuSRmfp8l #backyardchickens