Feeding alfalfa hay

[bhawk-23]

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.

I put hay down before it snowed under a covered area so they can scratch around for their food and scratch. It's been a week now and the hay is damp so I would like to replace it. Can I put this damp hay in my compost area that the chickens have access to? I am worried about mold which is why I'm replacing it before that happens. Our compost area is large and also has squirrels turning it over. It's mostly comprised of leaf litter, coop clean outs and a small amount of veggies and fruits. Will it be safe to add the hay?

Thanks!

 

[Ponypoor]

I put hay down before it snowed under a covered area so they can scratch around for their food and scratch. It's been a week now and the hay is damp so I would like to replace it. Can I put this damp hay in my compost area that the chickens have access to? I am worried about mold which is why I'm replacing it before that happens. Our compost area is large and also has squirrels turning it over. It's mostly comprised of leaf litter, coop clean outs and a small amount of veggies and fruits. Will it be safe to add the hay?

Thanks!

I throw old hay in my manure pile and the chickens happily pick through it. I would say that if it's a compost pile it should rot pretty fast.

 

[3KillerBs]

I put hay down before it snowed under a covered area so they can scratch around for their food and scratch. It's been a week now and the hay is damp so I would like to replace it. Can I put this damp hay in my compost area that the chickens have access to? I am worried about mold which is why I'm replacing it before that happens. Our compost area is large and also has squirrels turning it over. It's mostly comprised of leaf litter, coop clean outs and a small amount of veggies and fruits. Will it be safe to add the hay?

Thanks!

Nothing wrong with hay in your compost.

 

[Mosey2003]

Hay is good for a compost pile, adds carbon.

As to the original topic, I wouldn't want them eating the stems, as others have said they're just insoluble fiber mostly. If you're wanting to add alfalfa on a regular, predictable basis, your best course of action would be to buy a bag of alfalfa pellets. They're finely-ground and easy to deal with. Just take some out and soak in cold water the night before you want to feed them, enough water to cover them plus a half inch or so.