do chickens eat hay?

[arabookworm]

I've heard that they eat grass, and alfalfa hay has a high percentage of protein, so can they eat it?

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I don't know if they would because it is dried. Dried greens don't seem to interest them very much.

I suggest giving them pieces of cabbage or lettuce, or even hanging up a whole head of cabbage on a string just above their heads in the coop or run. They'll jump at it to tear pieces off, and will keep themselves busy and entertained.

 

[geareduplyn]

If you can get good quality leafy alfalfa hay I consider it one of the best supplements. They will eat everything but the big coarse stems.

 

[alagary]

Mine like to pick at the round bale I use for bedding but,I don't think they eat enough to get anything out of it . They do gobble down fresh grass clippings though.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Mine do. Kinda. They eat the buds, and small bits and chaff from the hay. I have an alfalfa/grass mix and they eat the alfalfa buds, etc. It's lots of fun, they scratch around in it in the snow.

 

[1acrefarm]

Mine like to eat the seeds off the hay and straw.

 

[kstaven]

Mine eat everything but the stalks and lay nice dark eggs all winter. Hay we have is heavy on the alfalfa and clover.

 

[ibpboo]

I use hay to put in the nesting boxes and part of the roost area. I've used alfalfa, grass and oat. My hens are always eating their beds!

 

[andehens]

Mine love a bucket of leafy alfafa and eat all of it, even the stems! I give them a bucket about every 7-10 days.

 

[lilchick]

You can buy alfalfa cubes and soak them in warm water and feed the chickens...
They are pure alfalfa that is chopped up into small pieces and the chickens will really go for them....