[AndynJ]

well we have been reading up a bit, and we have found that the hens like silage, so we are going to make some and then we have bought in 1 cubic metre of barley and I have just overseeded a grassed area with a kale mix.
Any other suggestions tips ??

[Foobar]

Sprouting grains?  You just need some grain and a bucket or something, sprout them indoors and then feed to the chooks.

[lord flynn]

interested in the kale mix-I wil have some lawn that I plan to overseed. will it grow all year (note, I am no gardener!)

[Bodger]

If you can get your birds to eat any amount of silage, it definitely needs to chopped very finely before its ensilaged. Long lengths of grass will almost certainly lead to them becoming crop bound.

[AndynJ]

interested in the kale mix-I wil have some lawn that I plan to overseed. will it grow all year (note, I am no gardener!)

Apparently its meant to be a winter food, I don't suppose there is a need for it in the summer.
BODGER, I think you may be correct, as what I had read said short cut grass is best, though I DIDN'T KNOW WHY, so thanks, I have a mulching mower(cuts twice) and a brush collector so I will be extra vigilant
FOOBAR, interesting, the only grain I have is Barley, I do have some sunflower seed, are these any good ?

[Foobar]

I've only sprouted wheat so far but there are loads of things you can sprout ... google it and you will see there is a whole world of sprouting to be had!

[Victorian Farmer]

Wield bird seed will plant and make a Cale type plant they eat that.

[JulieWall]

We've grown a load of Siberian pea trees to plant as forage for the hens, they can help themselves to them and it will supplement their food.

[AndynJ]

This subject has really got me going, so I've read through John Seymours self sufficiency book and theres some good ideas in there as well.
So I have popped some Barley on moist tissue to see if it sprouts
I will do some wild bird seed tomorrow
I'm going to plant some Kholi Rabi as we like the bulbs the chickens will like the greens, same with the kale. Silage is on the agenda.
I think we will manage to supplement 50% of their feed over the winter
Pretty excited about next year now as we will plan to produce there food along with rare breed breeding 2014 will be fantastic