Container gardens offer a perfect solution for space challenged backyards. Pretty amazing how easy it is to grow seasonal greens using inexpensive ceramic pots, recycled packs from the nursery, wine boxes, and any other misc. container. 
If the plant does not grow as well as you would like, no worries! Your chickens will devour it, then they will take a nap in the soil...

Disclaimer- *as long as the plant is NON TOXIC for poultry --which means you havent added any pesticides to the soil - this includes snail/slugg-o* 
Chickens are very resilient, and free-ranging on a variety of plant life is a natural inclination for them. However, be extra cautious- poultry anatomy is complex, they will eat pretty much whatever you give them. Over time. If they are bored. You probably have a full time job-- the chickens have all day to wait for you to feed them, or they will eat whatever they find. This includes packing styrofoam peanuts, random pieces of plastic, cardboard, twist ties, yarn,, wood chips, fabric... any tiny piece of material that is left behind in your absence--even what's on the bottom of your muck boots. Ewwww. 

10:55 am

11:02 am

*Put your chickens to work!*
The use of a chicken tractor can help contain your flock & put your chickens to work scratching & turning over your soil! 

Enjoy your playing with your chickens- and your green thumb! It doesn't matter if you have acres of land, or just a pot to plant in- size doesn't matter! Here are some plants that I have found to be resilient & nutritious- easy to grow regardless of their environment (city livin' or country lovin')

Ramona with her favorite snack watermelon!
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homegrown lettuce, 
devoured in less 
than a minute! 

 So, you have your chickens.......

 And they are precious, right? So much fun to watch scratching about. If you are lucky enough to have lots of room for your birds to free range (under close supervision, of course) you will quickly discover the little chickies will basically destroy/consume/"remodel" your favorite plants & vegetables in the blink of an eye. 

*Your chickens will love it, but you might not be too happy about it.*

Betsey, a bantam Ameraucana studying the possibilities: "How can I NOT have my photo taken, yet still have this tasty lettuce snack?"

Hearty Collard greens from the garden and some left over grapes from the vineyard

Pigging out on left-over Basil from our Summer garden

Nasturtium is hardy, versatile, and EDIBLE!

Flowering Red Kale-- pretty, frost resistant, and full of nutrients!

Forget to water your cabbage & it bolted? No worries- the chickens will be happy to nibble it all up

 Cartman wants his treat now  
                please --->

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I have discovered several cost effective methods for cultivating veggie treats specifically for your chickens, that will last year round---these little projects are simple, easy to maintain, and will allow you to provide fresh greens for your chickens at minimal cost. Most of these little projects can take less than 15 minutes to do (depending how fancy you want to be) 

They make great projects for children to participate in the chicken raising process. 

"Skewered Brussels sprouts on on a post"

EASY TREAT PROJECT #1 (for ages 2+ and up) 

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All you need for this project: WHEAT seeds, a little bit of soil, & a  simple container 

Organic hard red wheat berries are used for growing wheatgrass (sometimes known as "pet grass") juicing, sprouting seeds, flour & bread, and a variety of uses. They germinate quickly & are very easy to grow. Your chickens will love to snack on this grass, & your children can easily make their own mini garden to give treats to "their" special chicken. 

Step 1:
*Select your container 
(we use left over plastic cups or plant pony packs)

     Step 2:
*fill the container with soil

Step 3:
*Use your finger to make a hole in the soil to put your seeds





Step 4:
Pour a few seeds in the hole, cover up with soil

All you have to do is water occasionally

Seeds germinate in 6-8 days

Step 5:
*Enjoy feeding your chickens a tasty treat!


*You can trim the grass down a couple inches to keep it fresh & continuing to sprout evenly

Parker holding Cartman in one hand and his mini garden in the other-- you can look but don't touch!