Chickens prefer rye and mustard

Remember those pastures I planted in winter annuals?  I reported in October that the chickens weren't interested --- and why should they have been when I was letting them run in the woods, which was still full of greenery and bugs?

Once really cold weather hit, the chickens did start nibbling on the annuals (although they still spent most of their time in the woods.)  The mustards were their favorite, followed by the oats (until they died).  Nowadays, the winter rye is eaten down to nubbins in the chicken-accessible pasture, even though the chickens are still ignoring the bright green, but apparently unpalatable, winter peas.

If I have bare ground I want to plant next fall, I'll focus on mustard and rye, with some oats if the mustard seed is too expensive for seeding large areas.  Meanwhile, I have a second pasture partially planted in rye that's just waiting for chicken beaks.  I plan to turn the flock in there shortly and let them enjoy the tender young leaves.