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Feeding chickens can get expensive. But what if we told you there was a simple and easy way to cut down on costs? By planting perennial weeds around your backyard, you can do just that. These weeds are safe for your chickens to eat and will regrow every spring, thus reducing how much feed you have to buy for each year.
While you should never entirely replace your chickens’ feed, perennial weeds can help cut back on how much feed your chickens need. Below, we’ve listed the six best perennial weeds you can feed to your chickens:
Nettles
Not to be confused with their more painful cousin, the Stinging Nettle, regular nettles are a great option for you to plant in your backyard. In fact, nettles are edible for both chickens and humans; not to mention that they’re full of nutrients.
Mouse-Ear Chickweed
While technically a weed, mouse-ear chickweed is actually a perennial weed. Nevertheless, they’re quite beautiful and will certainly add to the aesthetic of your backyard when your chickens aren’t munching away on them. Chickens love mouse-ear chickweed as well as its cousin, the chickweed, so you should encourage their growth in your backyard rather than eliminating them.
Wild Violets
Another beautiful yet useful plant are wild violets. They are drought tolerant can spread like crazy if left alone. You’ll start seeing them pop up in your yard during the early springtime. So, when you start seeing them, let them be! Your chickens will love eating them as a mid-day snack.
Wild Grapes
Did you know that grapes are a perennial? Indeed, when left to grow in the wild, they will regrow every spring. Sweet and juicy, we guarantee your chickens will love snacking on grapes. However, grapes can get a bit unruly when left to their own devices. We recommend using proper grape growing techniques to tame the wild grapes growing in your yard.
Wild Strawberries
Another delectable perennial fruit are wild strawberries. You can grow these in the ground or in pots if you don’t have enough full sun in your backyard. Wild strawberries are not technically a weed, but they will grow quickly and are quite difficult to get rid of. But of course, you won’t want to get rid of these fruits once you see how much your chickens enjoy them!
Dandelions
Dandelions are one of the most common types of perennial weeds that we see about. So common, in fact, that many homeowners struggle to get rid of them every year. However, instead of spraying them with herbicides, we recommend leaving them for your chickens to eat. They may get a bad rap, but your chickens will think they’re delicious. Plus, they’re incredibly nutritious!
If you plant any of these perennial weeds in your yard, we guarantee your chickens will go crazy for them. Not only that, but it will also help cut down on feed costs throughout the year. The best part is that these weeds will regrow each year, saving you even more money in the long run. For more tips on how to feed your chickens and take care of your flock, read through our blog or contact Chickens for Backyards today!
