Millet

I'm growing millet, and many other crops, in anticipation of being able to feed the future chickens (eta Spring 2010) with lots of things grown on site. They'll be able to eat lots of fresh greens and bugs too. Pearl Millet is somewhat drought tolerant and the seeds are edible for humans too, but the seed coat needs to be removed first. Birds don't need the seed coat removed before eating the seeds. Millet is sold in bird seed mixes.

Early Autumn in the garden

Maize plants with drying ears.

Some of the husk peeled away to reveal the red kernels of the maize.

Freshly painted chicken house. A second coat of paint will be applied, probably a reddish color, before the rains start. I bought the paint at the paint store, they were contractor returns and were very inexpensive compared with buying regular paint, thus the multiple colors. The door was found at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.
Looks like it used to belong on a hot water heater closet.
The house still needs windows and hinged tops for the nesting boxes. A fence, too, needs to be erected. Estimated time to get chicks is spring 2010.