Feeding barley silage

[Ryley]

Our family has got out of cattle recently, and we have tons (literally) of barley silage left in our yard.

What are your thoughts on feeding barley silage to chicks, hens, and/or broilers? Could it be used as a primary feed? Or even as a supplement?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If it is just fiber that has rotted a bit I wouldn't feed it. Rolled barley is OK but limit the quantity as it has been associated with necrotic enteritis and sticky droppings in large amounts:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Nutrition-Barley.html

Moldy feed can kill chickens and you don't want them to get fungal infections in their crops/digestive system.

 

[Ryley]

It isn't moldy. It's the entire barley plant chopped, and stored at high moisture so that it ferments, not molds. We wouldn't feed our cattle moldy feed either

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It isn't moldy. It's the entire barley plant chopped, and stored at high moisture so that it ferments, not molds. We wouldn't feed our cattle moldy feed either

Oh OK.

looking around on internet for links.....

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...roduction-for-chicken-feed.aspx#axzz334pFSuwy

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/81426/chickens-in-the-silage
but see post #6- very important and this is my opinion as well (I am no expert like him though).

 

[Ryley]

Thank you both for the links, they are very helpful.
I am kind of leaning away from it, but wanted to pick the eggsperts brains