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Iceberg lettuce for your birds

post #1 of 17
1/5/12 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 

I have heard not to feed iceberg lettuce to birds and animals for that matter and have never done so just because there is a wide variety of greens to choose from. I was wondering if anyone knew why this is or if its even true. Could it be bad for them or just no nutrition in this type lettuce ? Thoughts ? Internet digging anyone ?

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #2 of 17
1/5/12 at 12:49pm

I looked back and found in an old 2008 post as well as a few articles on the net that people do not recommend feeding iceburg lettuce to your chickens because it is less than 1% protein.  Basically, I would conclude that a small treat of it would be okay as long as they don't fill up on it and you give them protein and vitamins in other feed.

Lisa Taylor
Taylor Hobby Farms
www.taylorhobbyfarms.us
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Lisa Taylor
Taylor Hobby Farms
www.taylorhobbyfarms.us
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post #3 of 17
1/5/12 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Lisa. What I was leaning toward was the its mainly water and not much nutrition thing. Maybe I need to to be eating more of this to lose weight and feel full too! lol

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #4 of 17
1/5/12 at 2:51pm

my girls love grass.being that we are into winter there is none.they look for their lettuce each day.i read on byc that some feed there chickens alfalfa pellets.well i'am stuck with a 50 pound bag.i thought i had found the soultion for greens for my girls until warm weather and the grass starts growing.i soaked it in warm water until it was soft.boy did i get a stink eye.

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post #5 of 17
1/5/12 at 6:52pm

I was always told with parrots it acted as a laxative, ....... Not sure if it's true.

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Buy Cute Chicken Graphics & Decals from me at www.lookoutdecals.com
                                                                     See my chickens at www.chickenzoo.com
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post #6 of 17
1/9/12 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 

Wow. I just think its wild so much of it is grown yet doesnt seem to have much benefits for us let alone our bird friends. Oh well, till I get some good imput I guess I will stick with the "other" greens.

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #7 of 17
1/9/12 at 6:36am

What about radish greens?   Or turnips?   If dandelion is good for them, I'd certainly think these would be.

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post #8 of 17
1/9/12 at 7:27am
Thread Starter 

Yes they all are great. I think variety is best. And I throw them in the mix also here and there. I have mainly bare pens (no live plants) for too many reasons to list here where I live.  So I toss in various greens daily to keep them nutritionally sound.

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, two siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #9 of 17
1/9/12 at 7:28am

A little won't hurt but spinach is better

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post #10 of 17
1/23/12 at 10:26pm

Spinach stops the absorbsion of calcium in ducks.

Mumma to 11 Muscovies, 4 Pekins, 5 Indian Runners, 3 Call Ducks, 4 Mixed Breeds, 1 Silkie, 1 Magpie Goose and 1 Embden x Pilgrim. Also a Beagledore, a Wolfhound, a bunny, a guinea pig, many cats and a Boyfriend.

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Mumma to 11 Muscovies, 4 Pekins, 5 Indian Runners, 3 Call Ducks, 4 Mixed Breeds, 1 Silkie, 1 Magpie Goose and 1 Embden x Pilgrim. Also a Beagledore, a Wolfhound, a bunny, a guinea pig, many cats and a Boyfriend.

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