Alfalfa

[foghornleghorn21]

Does anyone feed there chickens alfalfa? If so, just by itself or mix it with there feed?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I plant alfalfa in their foraging plots but I don't buy it dried.

 

[whiteboy]

They aren't going to eat it dry but they love it green.

 

[Beachcomber]

A couple of times a week I give my chickens some of my horses' leftover soaked alfalfa cubes. The chickens nibble at it, but it's not their favorite & most just gets kicked on the ground & wasted.

 

[Acre4Me]

In winter I’ll rehydrate alfalfa pellets and mix into wet feed. They don't eat it by itself. Alfalfa pellets or cubes are 16% min protein, so not diluting their protein intake.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine will eat the leaves in dry alfalfa. The stems contribute to the deep litter in the run.

 

[TwoCrows]

I throw a flake in the run once in a while, especially in the winter when no green is available outside. They love to scratch around in it eating the leaves. Alfalfa is high in protein, contains some calcium and other healthy minerals. Its considered a maintenance feed for livestock and is good for your chickens physical health as well keeping them entertained.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I buy a bale of Alfalfa in the Autumn season to supplement the lack of vegetation here during the winter season. .
I toss some Alfalfa on top of shavings when I change bedding every week or two depending number of occupants. .
I also toss a flake under the raised coops a couple times a week.
They enjoy eating the tiny leaves and powder. GC

 

[Countrylovexx]

We have patches of Alfalfa growing all over our property. I often pick it fresh and throw it in the runs for them. They enjoy the fresh vegetation. I haven’t thought about drying it out, but we have plenty around here that I could, and ‘treat’ them with it through the winter.