alfalfa for chickens?

[NWayne]

Hi I have alfalfa and was wondering if I could feed it to the chickens but I read that it gets blocked up when they eat to much and can kill them what do you guys think?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Lots of folks feed alfalfa with no problems. I re-constitute the alfalfa pellets, by soaking over night. I have to mix it in their mash. It isn't their favorite, but getting some greens into them in the winter is why I do it.

 

[NWayne]

So can I feed only alfalfa?

 

[Kevin565]

As the main source of feed? No

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

I used to free range my chickens on a few acres of alfalfa and grass. Didn't do them any harm. And they ate lots of it. As long as you give them some "ordinary" chicken food as their main meal your chickens should be fine.

 

[jbirds2012]

good question. i was wondering the same thing. im glad you asked

 

[rockinpaints]

Welcome Friend!

Glad you could join us!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan - alfalfa alone does not provide the right balance of nutrition, you will need to provide a balanced chicken food as their primary food source.

 

[liz9910]

from California, I agree with the above posters.

 

[NWayne]

ok so not only alfalfa but also regular layer feed too should the layer feed be high in protein or just 16 or 18%?