Can I feed them DROPSEED?

[jennyjane]

My husband came home with a bag of dropseed, wondering if I could feed it to the chickens. I can't find anywhere that it's poisonous to them, but I'm wondering if I would need to supplement it with something else, to make it a more balanced diet? Can you guys help me out?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I had to google dropseed. Is what you have the seed for a plant called dropseed? If so, I would worry that it was treated seed.

Never feed treated seed to livestock- it would be coated in poison. If it isn't feed grade don't feed it.

 

[jennyjane]

It hasn't been treated with anything. My husband works for a company that produces, cleans and sells native grass and flower seeds. So it's just pure dropseed grass seed, which is native to where we live. So I would think it would be something chickens ate naturally if they lived wildly around here. But I assume they need more in their diet than just seed. Maybe if I mixed it with store bought chicken feed, it would help reduce my cost and still be good feed for them???

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't know if it is edible by poultry or not. However, I can tell you that I feed my chickens grass seed that I collect at the tops of the grass that has gone to seed (just by hand, a few at a time).

 

[donrae]

I'd start with a small amount, as a treat in the afternoon or evening. Without knowing more about the nutritional content it's hard to say how it would effect your birds' production, etc. I would use it as a supplement to commercial feed, not the other way around. I'd think your birds will love it.

 

[jennyjane]

Yes, I think that's what I'll do. A little bit included with the regular feed. Thanks for the feedback you guys!