Decaf Tea Leafs For Flock? Advice needed

[Pat Mcaffee]

I am a huge coffee/tea person but I have a caffeine disorder that prevents me from sleeping if I consume hardly any caffeine so I stick to decaf. Recently, my hens have decided to take a vacation from laying. These birds are awful winter layers even though half of them are Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. They receive mostly grain and high protein food, but I do occasionally feed them greens. I know that chickens are to never consume caffeine, but would it be okay to give them decaf teal leafs and maybe decaf coffee grinds to supplement their diet. I also upped their food to 14% protein and purchased a flock block. A response to this question and any other suggestions for making homemade food would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[N F C]

That's an interesting question...something I never considered. Are you talking about unused (not steeped) tea leaves?

It will be interesting to see what responses you get back.

 

[JedJackson]

I personally wouldn't try it just because I don't see that tea leaves would provide much nutrition to chickens, so why risk problems? I do throw spent tea bags (I cut off the little staples) on the compost heap, and coffee grounds too.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I throw coffee grounds into the deep litter of the run to compost but my girls have zero interest in it which is fine by me. I doubt yours will do much more than investigate a little and then conclude tea leaves are not a delicious treat. But they're probably great to add to DL.

 

[lazy gardener]

There would be no reason to give tea leaves to a chicken. Put them in your compost. I'm guessing the tannin content is quite high. There would be no nutritional value in tea leaves.

If you want to give them more greens, you could sprout some whole grains.

FYI, 14% protein is not adequate. They should have at least 16%, and more if you are giving them any other treats, including kitchen scraps and scratch grains.

 

[Folly's place]

Tea and coffee, decaf or not, should not be on their menu! Neither are actually food, so leave them out.
I agree with LG; upgrade their diet!!!
My birds all eat Flock Raiser, a 20% protein diet, with oyster shell on the side, and then some extra goodies. Good food pays off!
Mary

 

[Pat Mcaffee]

That's an interesting question...something I never considered. Are you talking about unused (not steeped) tea leaves?

It will be interesting to see what responses you get back.

I am more so referring to used tea leaves for the remaining nutrients left.