Alfalfa cubes soaked with crumble overnight

[Acre4Me]

We also purchased alfalfa cubes like you did. We purchased last fall so we could give them alfalfa during the winter. Since alfalfa is 16% min protein it is a great add.

The alfalfa hydrates more than expected. We add only 1 cube per 2 cups of grower pellets. However, we just hydrate the alfalfa in a separate bowl with boiling water, then add it to the pellets once hydrated about 5 min later, adding more water till it is their preferred consistency. They love wet feed, so adding in the alfalfa is an easy and nutritious add. Since we feed 20% grower pellets, they are not getting their nutrition diluted.

 

[paneubert]

We also purchased alfalfa cubes like you did. We purchased last fall so we could give them alfalfa during the winter. Since alfalfa is 16% min protein it is a great add.

The alfalfa hydrates more than expected. We add only 1 cube per 2 cups of grower pellets. However, we just hydrate the alfalfa in a separate bowl with boiling water, then add it to the pellets once hydrated about 5 min later, adding more water till it is their preferred consistency. They love wet feed, so adding in the alfalfa is an easy and nutritious add. Since we feed 20% grower pellets, they are not getting their nutrition diluted.

The separate hydration seems like a good idea. Otherwise the alfalfa requires a lot of water to rehydrate, overwhelming the pellets/crumble. I might try the separate method next time, combining them before putting the bowl out.

 

[dables1]

Yeah, I should have gone with pellets instead of cubes. But now I have a 40 pound bag of cubes and no horses. Haha.

Drained the excess liquid this morning and put the bowl in the coop. They circled it repeatedly. Like literally paraded around the bowl in a circle. Haha. Every so often someone would take a smell or a tiny peck. But then the pop door opened and they ran outside.

Headed to work. Will see what I see when I get home. They don't have green grass access in the run, so I'm hoping the alfalfa keeps them a little happier.

If you have too much use it to add nitrogen to the garden. Bury it and let it decompose and your garden will love it. That is what i have it for and will now think about giving my chickens some.

 

[Muffett]

I have alfalfa pellets that I just throw in with their feed. Those pellets are intended as rabbit feed at the feed store. They work just fine for chickens. I have no desire to ferment feed, or soak items. I think that the chickens were created with a crop and a gizzard to do those things naturally. I know many peeps ferment feed and would not have it any other way. I support their decisions likewise.

The cubes need to be soaked for horses because they can choke on them. I would soak cubes because I don’t think they will be able to peck them apart. They’re really hard.