Planting behind a chicken tractor

Apr 29, 2014 11:00:06

I just built a chicken tractor and have some young birds in it. They are doing a great job of working over the ground. I would like to start planting behind it as I move it forward. How long should I wait to plant non-root crops such as okra?

Apr 29, 2014 11:17:17

As soon as you move it. You need to plant something or nature will. NO BARE GROUND.

Apr 29, 2014 11:22:43

I never thought of it like that. Thanks

Apr 29, 2014 12:55:55

It depends on if you are following any standards such as GAPs or Organic Certification. I am not sure what GAPs is, but for Organic Certification, harvest much be 90 days after removal for non soil contact stuff and 120 days for things that contact the soil. FSMA proposed standards were more. If no standards needed, whatever your risk level is or lawsuit tolerance is if selling. If it is not for human consumption whatever you want. I plant my pig areas with radish and turnips immediately after rotating out because they will be for grazing later.

Apr 29, 2014 13:15:55

Paul Ewing wrote:It depends on if you are following any standards such as GAPs or Organic Certification. I am not sure what GAPs is, but for Organic Certification, harvest much be 90 days after removal for non soil contact stuff and 120 days for things that contact the soil. FSMA proposed standards were more. If no standards needed, whatever your risk level is or lawsuit tolerance is if selling. If it is not for human consumption whatever you want. I plant my pig areas with radish and turnips immediately after rotating out because they will be for grazing later.

D'OH, I completely missed the legal/certification angle.

I am so used to trying to grow enough for us I forgot some people actually SELL some.

Apr 29, 2014 13:23:55

rather than planting food you could plant a cover crop, something to protect the soil and to build the soil up and make it better. would that work with the organic certification? since it is not going to be eaten by anyone or at least not humans.

Apr 29, 2014 13:27:32

R Scott wrote:D'OH, I completely missed the legal/certification angle.

I am so used to trying to grow enough for us I forgot some people actually SELL some.

That's OK, I think I would trust you before I would trust the products marketed in accordance with Big Ag written regulations.

Apr 29, 2014 16:18:35

Thanks thats some more great advise. Naw Im not selling anything. I just see that bare soil and I know it has to be fertile so I want to stick something in it lol. I guess I could just plant something for the chickens to eat later but I have some okra I want to get planted and thought I could kill two birds with one stone.

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