Free-range on rotated pasture paddocks

Letting chickens forage on grass, insects, and seeds supplements 20-40% of their diet in warm months. Rotating them through small paddocks prevents overgrazing and keeps the forage productive.

How to Set Up

1. Divide your yard into 3-4 paddocks using portable electric poultry netting (or simple T-posts and chicken wire for non-predator areas).
2. Rotate every 5-7 days: Move the flock to fresh ground before the current paddock is scratched bare.
3. Rest paddocks 3-4 weeks between rotations to let grass recover and parasite eggs die off.

What Chickens Forage

• Insects, grubs, and earthworms (protein source)
• Grass and clover tips (greens, vitamins A and K)
• Weed seeds and fallen fruit
• Small stones for grit (free, no purchased grit needed)

Tips

• In winter, forage is minimal — expect to provide full commercial feed November through March in northern climates
• Hawks are a bigger risk on open pasture; consider overhead line deterrents or covered runs
• Follow cattle or goats with chickens — they scratch through manure and eat fly larvae, breaking the parasite cycle