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black oil sunflower seeds with shells on?

post #1 of 23
3/1/09 at 10:40am
Thread Starter 

This might be a silly question, but...  Everyone talks about how good black oil sunflower seeds are for chickens, do you give them the seeds with the shells on?
Aren't the shells too tough for them?  I just picture those hard scratchy shells scraping the chickens soft fleshy crop!
I experienced an impacted crop once and do not want to jeopardize another one!

Maybe it is my own bias because I can't pop 'em in my mouth and split them open with my teeth!  My dad is a pro and can spit out the clean shells...  I'm jealous!

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post #2 of 23
3/1/09 at 11:04am

Mine eat unshelled black oil sunflower seeds all the time with no problem.  The minute they are let out to range in the afternoon they make a beeline for the wild bird feeder to grab some spilled sunflower seeds before they head off in search of bugs and worms.  Hasn't caused them any digestive trouble at all and they've been doing it for a year now.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir
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"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir
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post #3 of 23
3/1/09 at 11:08am

Mine get whole black oil seeds all the time. They love them and have no problems with them.

Me (Robin), my very patient and understanding Hubby whom I adore, my son, Bill, a German Shorthaired Pointer, nubian, lamancha, saanen, alpine and nigerian dwarf milk goats.
www.taylorfarmsdairygoats.webs.com

http://www.taylorfarmssoap.com

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Me (Robin), my very patient and understanding Hubby whom I adore, my son, Bill, a German Shorthaired Pointer, nubian, lamancha, saanen, alpine and nigerian dwarf milk goats.
www.taylorfarmsdairygoats.webs.com

http://www.taylorfarmssoap.com

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post #4 of 23
3/1/09 at 11:08am

I mix the BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seed) in with my other grains. They never leave any BOSS. I have been feeding it to them for ages without any problems. Those grinding muscles have to be strong and since mine free range they are tough.
I have taken 25# bags and scattered them all over the courtyard and watched tame and wild birds go crazy with the clean up. It is very nutritious and has a high protein with great oils for them and us.

Bantam Cochins are my love! Mille Fleur projects, buff barred projects and black/blue Mottled. Chickens, Guineas, Ducks, Peafowl and Meal Worms. Contact me for hatching eggs and a link to my website.


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"Science and religion are not at odds. Science is simply too young to understand."

 

 

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Bantam Cochins are my love! Mille Fleur projects, buff barred projects and black/blue Mottled. Chickens, Guineas, Ducks, Peafowl and Meal Worms. Contact me for hatching eggs and a link to my website.


God Bless America!  If you can't stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!


"Science and religion are not at odds. Science is simply too young to understand."

 

 

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post #5 of 23
3/1/09 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 

just to be clear hmm chickens are ok to eat  Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, (BOSS)  with shells ON.

nuthatchknoll gives UNshelled


Edited by princess araucana - 3/1/09 at 4:35pm
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post #6 of 23
3/1/09 at 12:01pm

Ours eat them all the time from under our bird feeders. Never had any problems.

DH, DD, DS
Chickens- BR, RIR, EE, Light Brahmas and a few barnyard mixes
3 barn cats
1 dog who wants to know why he cant "play" with the chickens?

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DH, DD, DS
Chickens- BR, RIR, EE, Light Brahmas and a few barnyard mixes
3 barn cats
1 dog who wants to know why he cant "play" with the chickens?

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post #7 of 23
3/1/09 at 12:05pm

Mine won't eat them, hulled.  Even tried breaking them up.  Going to keep trying; seems like someone should get the idea eventually.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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post #8 of 23
3/1/09 at 12:11pm

I feed BOSS to my horses and chickens. They all love them and have had no problems whatsovever.
The horses get BOSS 2x per day with their pelleted feed. And the chickens get some mixed with their scratch treats a couple or 3x per day. Plus the chickens get what they can thieve out of the horses' feed pans.

Ann From CT

The flock:  Buff, blue and lavender Orpingtons, a Columbian RockX hen, Comets (personal favorites!) RI Reds, speckeled Sussex, Olive Eggers, and various barnyard crosses. And a couple of noisy Guineas! 

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Ann From CT

The flock:  Buff, blue and lavender Orpingtons, a Columbian RockX hen, Comets (personal favorites!) RI Reds, speckeled Sussex, Olive Eggers, and various barnyard crosses. And a couple of noisy Guineas! 

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post #9 of 23
3/1/09 at 2:27pm

My birds love them. Shells and all.

HEY LOOK!!! ---> UPCOMING FLORIDA Swaps/Sales/Shows/Events

---> Florida Fair Schedule 2012/2013 and "Where am I? Where are you?" FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

Member of the American Poultry Association &

Central Florida Poultry Breeders Association. NPIP Certified Participant

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HEY LOOK!!! ---> UPCOMING FLORIDA Swaps/Sales/Shows/Events

---> Florida Fair Schedule 2012/2013 and "Where am I? Where are you?" FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

Member of the American Poultry Association &

Central Florida Poultry Breeders Association. NPIP Certified Participant

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post #10 of 23
3/1/09 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by princess araucana 

just to be clear hmm chickens are ok to eat  , Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, (BOSS)  with shells ON.

nuthatchknoll gives UNshelled


Yes, they are fine with shells or without.  It's sometimes confusing how people think of 'shelled' and 'unshelled'.  Unshelled can mean 'without the shell' or 'hasn't been shelled (hasn't had the shell removed)'.  Shelled can mean 'has been shelled' or 'has the shell'.  Kind of like 'unthawing' something from the freezer.

TTFN,

Nemo
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TTFN,

Nemo
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