>OK, down to the grassroots here...
>I am going to start a small flock of chickens this year in a spot that
>currently has brambles, goldenrod and other assorted high growing
stuff. I
>want to prep the area and the chix I am getting are good foragers
>(Dominiques). So, what is the best way to prep the spot? Brush hog it
and
>turn it under and cover crop for a couple months?
Brush hog may be sufficient. You can scatter seed before or after you do
this. Pelletizing your seed with mud can improve success. The plants
that grow up again from roots will add to the feed supply and the mulch
will create habitat for bugs and worms (yum, yum).
>What is a good crop to sow to give the birds good forage and improve
the soil >(eventually for a garden)?
Sow a mix of things. Try winter peas, favas, clovers, grains, radishes
and mustards, chickweed, plantain (plantago spp.), lambsquarter,
pigweed, chicory, etc. and on the edges, where the fence will go, plant
comfrey (just don't till it....unless you really LOVE comfrey) or other
perennial greens.
Keith Johnson
Patterns for Abundance / The Permaculture Activist Magazine
Thanks,
Mark
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