Alfalfa Pecking Blocks

[HollyWoozle]

As many of you know, here in the UK our chickens are in ‘lockdown’ due to avian flu and must be contained in a roofed/sealed coop or run at all times. Our flock usually have access to a good outdoor space and although they are coping well with their confinement, I am introducing new things from time to time to keep them amused.

Has anybody made alfalfa pecking blocks for their chooks and if so, how did you do it? It’s easy here to buy blocks to hang or put out for them to peck but they are often just corn with molasses, fat or suchlike and not overly nutritious. Whilst I would like to prioritise their main feed, I have ordered two blocks to try and they are made from alfalfa, maize, grit and oyster shell. I was thinking it would be much cheaper to make my own? I can buy dried alfalfa pellets/cubes from the horse feed section, soak them, make sure there are no long strands and then mix with other things and reform them. Not sure if they’ll just stick together and how I would dry them though?

They would just be used as an occasional treat. Thank you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't have experience with blocks but I do sprout seeds and grains during winter for my birds, especially when there is snow on the ground.
The easiest thing I've found to sprout is barley, though I have sprouted wheat, sunflower seed, buckwheat and peas. With the right kind of sprouter, alfalfa, millet and other small seeds would be good.
I use seed starting trays and spread the seed in it after having soaked and rinsed several times.
The initial soak should be about 4 hours. For a flock of about 50 birds, I try to give them a tray a day but it usually ends up being a half tray a day.
I use no soil. The seed itself forms a mat.

 

[Percheron chick]

I wouldn't bother. Just either soak the pellets and give it to them as a slurry or just toss them on the run. They will both disappear over time. I found 1/4 bag of cubes in the trailer and dumped it in the run. They picked out the leaves and left the stems. Kept them
busy. Pellets are a better choice. The are pulverized into such small pieces that most will be eaten and can't cause any impaction problems. Cubes on the other hand typically aremade from mature long fiberous hays that your chickens just can't eat. If you can buy a small bale of hay, just place the bale, strings still on, in the run. They will use it as a jungle gym and pick and scratch looking for anything edible. You can also sprinkle grains over the top to encourage them.