Feeding alfalfa hay

[Oldhenhens]

I ordered 10# of alfalfa hay on Amazon and I tried it out on my chickens today. They went crazy for it. My husband has a friend who farms and he is getting me two square bales of alfalfa for sooo much less. Like i could have 6 bales for what it cost me on Amazon!
My question is (probably a silly question but I’m asking anyway) does anyone have a suggestion for how to easily break it up or shred it? The chickens ate the softer tops up like candy but can’t eat the stems. Do they eventually peck if apart? Thanks!!!

 

[Sablehaven]

I never considered feeding alfalfa to chickens... I suppose mine just eat what they like from the horses' supply and I just don't notice.

A good food processor might work, but I've never tried taking apart the stems. I wish you luck, alfalfa stems are tough.

Edit: If you, or someone you know has a chipper shredder, that apparently works: www.thefatewe.com/blog/a

 

[LilRedmamma]

I ordered 10# of alfalfa hay on Amazon and I tried it out on my chickens today. They went crazy for it. My husband has a friend who farms and he is getting me two square bales of alfalfa for sooo much less. Like i could have 6 bales for what it cost me on Amazon!
My question is (probably a silly question but I’m asking anyway) does anyone have a suggestion for how to easily break it up or shred it? The chickens ate the softer tops up like candy but can’t eat the stems. Do they eventually peck if apart? Thanks!!!

I don't bother trying to chop it... I'd need a hammer or hatchet Lol. I use cubes from TCS and put a little block in a margarine tub inside a cast iron pot (they can stand on it but doesn't tip over), cover the bottom of the marg. tub with my goldfish pond water. They love to peck at it and the water slowly soaks into the cube so they can eat however they want. Lasts about a week or so. When it rains, I put the pot under the coop in the dry dirt. I experiment!

 

[Oldhenhens]

I don't bother trying to chop it... I'd need a hammer or hatchet Lol. I use cubes from TCS and put a little block in a margarine tub inside a cast iron pot (they can stand on it but doesn't tip over), cover the bottom of the marg. tub with my goldfish pond water. They love to peck at it and the water slowly soaks into the cube so they can eat however they want. Lasts about a week or so. When it rains, I put the pot under the coop in the dry dirt. I experiment!

I think I may try the cubes. It seems it would be easier for them. And me! Thanks!

 

[Oldhenhens]

I never considered feeding alfalfa to chickens... I suppose mine just eat what they like from the horses' supply and I just don't notice.

A good food processor might work, but I've never tried taking apart the stems. I wish you luck, alfalfa stems are tough.

Edit: If you, or someone you know has a chipper shredder, that apparently works: www.thefatewe.com/blog/a

I tried using an old blender and it works but takes awhile. You gave me an idea though. My husband had a leaf mulching vacuum on a riding mower. Maybe it would mulch the bales enough to make it feed for the chickens! Hey! Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

The stems aren't the nutritious part.

I haven't tried alfalfa myself, but I'd be inclined to just let them eat what they wanted and allow the stemmy stuff to become one with the bedding.

 

[Percheron chick]

The stems aren't the nutritious part.

I haven't tried alfalfa myself, but I'd be inclined to just let them eat what they wanted and allow the stemmy stuff to become one with the bedding.

Spot on.
The leaves are where most of the nutrients are. The stems are the fibrous part. Cubes might be easier for you but they are typically made from lesser quality hay, more stem to leaf ratio, more mature, damaged, rained on.... and more expensive. All resulting in higher waste. Fresh hay will have higher protein and Ca, higher calories and more beta carotene (vit A precursor think deep orange yolks). Opt for a high horse or even dairy quality alfalfa. Toss them a flake once or twice a week when foraging is limited and let them work it. They will pick out the good stuff and for the most part leave the stems. It will just become additional organic bedding for them to scratch in and turn into valuable compost.

 

[Ponypoor]

Our hay season this year was horrible, as such my horse hay is Less that stellar. It is full of Queen Ann Lace (wild carrot) which the chickens pick through and enjoy.

Any hay will be enjoyed by chickens, and if you can get oat straw they will enjoy that too.

 

[Sablehaven]

I tried using an old blender and it works but takes awhile. You gave me an idea though. My husband had a leaf mulching vacuum on a riding mower. Maybe it would mulch the bales enough to make it feed for the chickens! Hey! Thanks!

Fingers crossed : ) I'm curious to know if it works.

 

[centrarchid]

Make certain the have access to grit.