Can Chickens Eat Alfalfa Hay?

[chickened]

I have fed alfalfa chafe to my chickens for 30 years and NEVER lost one to it. I throw them some about 1 or 2 times a week during the winter, summer they are on their own. I get it from the manger that I feed my cattle from.

 

[western edge]

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The eat cut grass clippings?? geesh this is all so darn new!

I wouldnt feed the grass clippings. I have and it may have contributed to the loss of several birds from crop binding. I have moved to leafy types of fresh greens for my runs and pens such as alfalfa, clover and some types of weeds they enjoy and have not had any problems.

 

[perchie.girl]

You can also soak the alfalfa that comes loose off the bale. We do that sometimes if the hay is dusty.

Just be careful how you store it. Set it up off the ground so air can circulate and cover it with a tarp so it wont get wet during the night. Alfalfa is notorious at molding if not stored properly.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
The eat cut grass clippings?? geesh this is all so darn new!

I wouldnt feed the grass clippings. I have and it may have contributed to the loss of several birds from crop binding. I have moved to leafy types of fresh greens for my runs and pens such as alfalfa, clover and some types of weeds they enjoy and have not had any problems.

I've fed grass clippings for the 50 years I've kept chickens & I've never had a crop bound bird. Not one.

 

[chickened]

It depends on the grass tall fescue has some issues with it. The grass seed industry here in Oregon sold tall fescue straw to horse owners a few years back and there was some problems with colic with that straw and horses were getting bound up by it and I have noticed that my chickens won't eat it, but they are never that hungry anyways.
Quote:
I wouldnt feed the grass clippings. I have and it may have contributed to the loss of several birds from crop binding. I have moved to leafy types of fresh greens for my runs and pens such as alfalfa, clover and some types of weeds they enjoy and have not had any problems.

I've fed grass clippings for the 50 years I've kept chickens & I've never had a crop bound bird. Not one.

 

[Mogli]

i work at a dairy farm and i go up in the hay loft and grab a few big pieces of alfalfa hay throw it in the chicken run they love it they dig in it and eat the leaves

 

[dsqard]

You also have to worry about mold (endophyte) in fescue. I won't feed it to my horses since you can't tell if the fescue is infected with the mold since it grows inside the hay itself. It has been shown to cause gestational and proper growth problems with cattle and horses. I don't know about chickens though.

 

[chickened]

It also causes birth defects in horses. I could not remember what the exact thing was that caused the problems, thanks. Why take the chance when alfalfa is fine.
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[AlbionWood]

I even used alfalfa hay as chick litter - that was hilarious, though slightly frightening, watching them tear into it! The little fuzzballs ate up the green leafy bits and left the stems etc. It worked out fine, no health problems, but the green poo was kind of weird. They sure did tear it up though

You do need to make sure it's never been wet. Alfalfa does mold very quickly if it gets damp. You'll know as soon as you open the bale; this nasty green fog will explode out of it...

 

[colby318]

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I meant the horse alfalfa pellets. My bad...