alfalfa hay

[namreknat]

I have two seperate coops and runs. Five month old leghorns in one; and two month old australorps and orpingtons in the other. I supply them with the proper ration, clean water, and grit 24/7. With grass in short supply now, I have wondering if some good leafy alfalfa hay would be good or maybe lead to problems with crop impaction. I hang a head of cabbage in their runs about once a week; which they devour in a days time. I would like to have something else to keep them "busy". What do you think?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I think you will waste money on the alfalfa. If you want to put hay in give em some orchard grass. Really, I thiink all they will do it scratch at it for the bugs underneath !!

 

[Mahonri]

We always gave them a flake of alfalfa back when I was growing up and they loved it... with no problems.

 

[chicken stalker]

On the extra cold days I've been giving them some alfalfa hay. I shake it them let it fall in fluffy piles...they love it.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It also keeps the yolks a bright yellow color in the winter when they have little green forage.

 

[namreknat]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to get them some.

 

[valerie]

I give mine alfalfa too. I usually just 'clean up' around the barn and put it in their run. They love it. There's not much the chickens don't like

Valerie

 

[crazy huhn]

Mine get the leafy stuff, left over from the horse hay.....without any problems.

 

[Wildsky]

Yep - mine run like crazy when we give the horse alphalfa, they can not WAIT to dig around in it - they do eat some.

 

[EllyMae]

I throw fescue in there too...sometimes it has seed pods and other junk for them to scratch around in.