Another question....chicks and millet?

[gritsar]

You know the millet that you can buy for pet birds? Could the chicks eat it at 23 days old? I'm looking for ways to ease their boredom and I thought pecking on a few strands of the millet might be enjoyable for them. Plus the fact that as part of the wildlife management thing my SO got involved in we're going to be growing 1/2 an acre of millet this year.

 

[hooligan]

When my girls were about 2 wks I gave them some millet hung from the top of the brooder. As first they acted like it was going to attack them but after they figured out it was food they loved it. I give all the chicks the millet strands and when I remember I get a bag at the feed store and give some to the chickens outside.

 

[gritsar]

Thanks hooligan. I picked some up in town today and you were right! Once they got over their fear they had a blast with it. The light girls took to it without any fear. They are determined to eat anything that doesn't eat them first. My dark roo grabbed a whole strand of it and took off running and screeching his head off loud enough to tell the neighbors down the road he had some! He's such a drama queen.

 

[Ace_king_brahma]

What about as far as yields? What type of millet can I grow that will provide the most sprays of seeds?

 

[digitS']

Ace, it is my understanding that "spray" millet is foxtail millet.

I bought a packet years ago from Johnny's Seed Company and have kept seed and grown it for wreath-making every year. For some reason (well, I didn't want to share

), I've never fed any to the chickens. This year, I'll see how they like it.

It may be that the spray millet you can buy at the pet shop is exactly the same stuff I've been growing. There are other millet types in the feed mixes for caged birds and wild birds. The foxtail has been real easy for me to grow - similar to sweet corn but easier.

Here's some info on millet from Purdue University.

Steve

 

[Ace_king_brahma]

I used to buy just proso from MMH but the shipping is outrageous and I'm looking for alternative millet.

 

[hooligan]

I can get a 50# bag at the feed store for $13.45, how much is it from MMH?

 

[SoccerMomof7]

What is millet?

 

[hooligan]

Quote:
Here's a good link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millet

 

[chickenwoods]

I plant a Proso/ Foxtail Millet,and Grain sorgum mix every summer, originally i planted it in a food plot for Deer and turkey.but a year or so ago i planted some in my garden,and after i was done with my garden the chickes got in and would jump/fly up to the grain and break the stem.and the rooster would call all the hens over,and they would enjoy the feast!!

They went crazy for it!!