Flax?

[newtothis]

I read at one point that my CSA uses flax for their chickens. Do you just toss out some flax seeds? How much? How old do they have to be?

 

[VerlonCox]

New, I wouldn't recommend flax even though I have heard both the very good and the very bad for it. If you are free ranging them then they shouldn't need any supplemental feed. Why do you want to give it to them just out of curiosity?

 

[newtothis]

Want the omega-3's in their diet so they end up in our diet

Ours will be yard-ranged chickens once they are cozy and aware of their home. I hope they stay in the yard but this is all new to me so we will see..

 

[MoSo]

What "bad" is there to flax seeds? I know that ground flax goes off very quickly, but the whole seeds don't go rancid anywhere near as fast. It's true that the Omega3/Omega6 ratio in flax proper isn't the greatest, but I've read that the net effect in chickens is higher Omega3 amounts in eggs.

 

[bibliophile birds]

i think flax is great! you can overfeed it though, as they can only absorb so much. flax is particularly helpful during the winter and will help keep them well feathered for good insulation. you can try mixing it with their current feed (i would go with maybe 1 part flax to 8 parts feed), throwing it out as scratch (with the added benefit that it might sprout, which would give them added greens), or cook it for a warm treat (boil the water, add the grains-you can do a mixture or just flax- turn off the heat and let it sit about an hour or until the water is absorbed).

as far as i know, as long as they are used to getting any kind of scratch or whole grain/cracked corn, they should have no problem with the flaxseeds.

 

[alpinefarm]

My birds don't particularly *like* flaxseed, so they let it go to waste if I just toss it out with their other grains. I do often add it to their bi-weekly "slurry" though (yoghurt or buttermilk, rolled oats, orange juice, brewers' yeast and whole flaxseed). They eat it that way.

 

[Shay1327]

I give flax to my flock. I use whole seed and usually mix a little in with their scrambled eggs or oatmeal.

We eat a lot of flax too (ours is milled though). It does wonders during molt and their feathers always look super shiny.