Growing Chick Grass Seed Mix
Although I call this chick grass mix, it can also be fed to wild birds, goats, and sheep. The chick grass is simply a mixture of tetraploid ryegrass, flax, alfalfa, and red and white clover seeds. The chick grass mix can be grown in planters, chicken runs, or wherever else that you might want to grow it in your yard. The seeds will generally sprout within 7 to 14 days. When it's fed to chickens, it will help increase the level of omega-3 in their eggs. So, that's a win-win for both you and your hens.
The mix that I prepare will make one 12-pound bag of chick grass mix. I plant this mix in planters and grow it indoors. You can plant as much or as little of the seed mix as you need. The chick grass can be planted inside your chicken run, chicken coop, outdoor plot area, greenhouse, and greenroom.
The chick grass seed mix will germinate fairly quickly. Keeping the seed mix on hand makes it simple to continue growing a supply of healthy food for your chickens, wild birds, and other livestock.
Ingredients:
2 pounds of white clover seeds
1 pound of red clover seeds
3 pounds of tetraploid perennial ryegrass
1 pound of tetraploid annual ryegrass
2 pounds of flax seeds
3 pounds of alfalfa seeds
Instructions:
In a large rubbermaid tub, or other large container, add 2 pounds of white clover seeds, 1 pound of red clover seeds, 3 pounds of tetraploid perennial ryegrass, 1 pound of tetraploid annual ryegrass, 2 pounds of flax seeds, and 3 pounds of alfalfa seeds. Mix the seeds together well with your hands.
Plant the seed in soil in a designated area in your yard, chicken run, in trays, or in large planters. (I use planters and grow the chick grass seed mix inside my indoor greenhouse and greenroom.)
Personally, I don't plant the chick mix in any type of order. I moisten the potting soil and toss a handful of the seeds into planters. Then I moisten them again and walk away. You will probably want to cover the seeds lightly with soil if you're planting them outside.
Dampen the soil as it's needed. The seeds will begin to germinate between 7 and 14 days. Water as needed.
I allow the mix to grow in planters, then use scissors to cut the tops of the plants off. Doing it this way is a little more time consuming, but by leaving the roots intact, they will continue to sprout new growth. Which in turn keeps a constant supply of chick mix growing without having to use up all your seed mix at once. If you have just a few chickens or even a flock of chickens, this is the way to go to save you money.
If you'd like to plant the chick mix inside your chicken coop or chicken run, you can plant the chick mix in flat trays and place a fine mesh grate over the top of them. This will allow the plants to grow up through the holes in the mesh and prevent your chickens from destroying the roots of the plants.
Happy planting!