Does anyone feed mangels to their chickens?

[DaniLovesChickens]

I had read about growing and feeding mangels to your flock. They are a type of beet that seem to be related to the sugar beet. They are an old type of beet mentioned in the "Little House on the Prairie" books.

The ones I found seeds for grow up to 20 pounds!!! They are supposed to store really well over the winter. Chickens are supposed to love them (along with other farm animals) because of their sweet flavor.

Do any of YOU, my Backyard Chicken friends, have experience with feeding this to their flock?

Thank you so, so much-
Dani

 

[Inkheart]

I would also like to hear the response to this - as i have heard that many ole timers for all livestock have fed them and for chickens it is really supposed to increase winter laying - and the thought of a giant beet! How cool!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

There is a thread on mangels over on SufficientSelf..link at the bottom of this page then search mangels. I am trying some this year for all my animals if I can get my hands on some seed soon enough

 

[Inkheart]

what sources are you guys finding for seeds? If i may ask?

 

[DaniLovesChickens]

I found some seeds on Jungseeds.com . It was like the only place I could find them.

 

[ginormous chicken]

I too read that article in Backyard Poultry! At firest I was like, what the heck are Mangels

??? It sounds interesting! Good Luck!

 

[wekiva bird]

R.H. Shumway's has them . They are in the beet family. I order some seed from them this week to try them out . colossal long red mangel and golden eckendorf mangel

 

[debid]

Baker Creek has them as well.