Alfalfa pellets to simulate free range grazing?

[Joz]

So, I've got a tiny yard. The hens will be in a run most of the day, and allowed out to free range the yard for an hour or so in the evenings. Grass and greens won't be available ALL the time, particularly as more of the yard is given over to veggie garden, and the remaining grass is slowly destroyed by the chickens.

Would feeding alfalfa pellets (likely moistened so they'll break up and get smaller) help to supplement the greens in their diet?

They will also be getting age-appropriate crumbles, and all the veggie peelings that don't stay in the compost bin.

Thanks.

 

[Organics North]

You bet!
Many commercial feeds contain alfalfa. My home brewed feed has 10% alfalfa. I can only find pellets in organic form so I moisten them and feed them with their mash 2x per day. Nice 17% protein level, and the greens help with egg flavor and color. (No mistaking the eggs for store bought factory farm eggs.....

ON

 

[arch_cpj]

I think this would be a good winter idea for most birds.... I wonder if alfalfa meal would be better ad you dont need to moisten it ???

 

[Organics North]

I have alfalfa meal with fish meal free choice for the birds. They do eat some not a lot.

I am going to organic pellets and feeding a moistened mash with the 10% ration of alfalfa in their whole grain mix.

ON

 

[Whispering Winds]

I feed it to my Alpacas, and its cheap too. $10.50 for 50 pounds. So, for chickies it will go a long way in their diet! I am picking up a bag tomorrow! I am going to mix it with their chow, as my stud looks so thin since I had them sheared, I am paranoid he isn't getting enough to eat. My mentor said he is fine, she knows what to look for, but what a shock when he got up from that shearing!!!! He has such a pretty face I told him he looked like a girl!!!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I use alfalfa pellets in my grain feeders. Chickens won't eat a lot of them, turkeys will eat more. I'm using one-half part pellets to three parts grain. More than that and they start beaking them out on the ground.

.....Alan.

 

[bumpershoot]

I use alfalfa in bale form for my hens. Now, I have a lot more space then you, but I do the bale thing because the hens spend time picking out the leaves and when they are done I use the stems for bedding and such. When the bedding is ready to head to the compost it has all that lovely chicken poo in it for the garden. So, I am using every bit of a bale.

I have a friend who has an old horse that she soaks her alfalfa in water for and the hens at her place help themselves as it soaks.

So, there are some ideas, but yes the hens like alfalfa.

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
I do the exact same thing!