Greens when grass is gone

[ldrchickens]

Hey guys! another question for yall. I have my chickens in a run and they have almost eaten all of their grass and what is left that they havnt eaten has turned brown due to all the cold weather. They have a mix of chick feed and flock raiser free choice, as well as a little bit of scratch and mealworms. Should i be giving them greens, fruits, and veggies DAILY to supplement them? or just the kitchen scraps we have every now and again? Thanks in advance!

 

[mixedbreeds]

I’m sure they will be fine the way they are but I like to give them some greens to keep the eggs dark and delicious. I feed fodder I use the garden trays I think they are 10” x 20” something like that. The top tray with drain holes bottom without and something in between to elevate the top tray. I put 3 to 4 cups of seeds in the top tray wheat, black oil sunflower seeds, mung beans and lentils. I rinse and soak them over night drain and put in tray. I run water over the top tray twice a day in the sink. Sometimes I use a grow light or in front of a window works. I grow them for about 7 days and chop up and feed it to them. Watch out for mold you don’t have to grow them that long but you get a better yield that way.

 

[H@tcher]

I give mine greens at least once a week. Not sure if they need them but they sure do enjoy them. Rabbits too.

 

[ldrchickens]

I’m sure they will be fine the way they are but I like to give them some greens to keep the eggs dark and delicious. I feed fodder I use the garden trays I think they are 10” x 20” something like that. The top tray with drain holes bottom without and something in between to elevate the top tray. I put 3 to 4 cups of seeds in the top tray wheat, black oil sunflower seeds, mung beans and lentils. I rinse and soak them over night drain and put in tray. I run water over the top tray twice a day in the sink. Sometimes I use a grow light or in front of a window works. I grow them for about 7 days and chop up and feed it to them. Watch out for mold you don’t have to grow them that long but you get a better yield that way.

thanks ill have to try this

 

[ldrchickens]

I give mine greens at least once a week. Not sure if they need them but they sure do enjoy them. Rabbits too.

thats what im saying! lol they love their snacks even though they can live with out em but how do you tell em no? lol

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I don't think you will need greens every day, but free ranging or hanging a head of cabbage/lettuce helps with entertaining and health.

 

[Melky]

I grew a chicken salad mix of seed in a 4x4 bed so I can cut a handful of greens daily or several times a week if need to stretch out. Grows quickly. See my review for contents of seed packet and info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/chicken-salad-seed-mix.11878/ . If out of fresh garden greens: I feed carrot tops, turnip tops, some cabbage leaves tied with string in coop run or put in peck n play ball like this__https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/ware-chicken-peck-n-play-boredom-busting-ball.11882/ . Whatever greens are in my kitchen.
Can also just hang one small cabbage ball for them to peck and entertain themselves.

 

[Melky]

Just keep treats to 10% or less of total diet so will not nutritionally dilute the feed.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I buy the reduced produce like lettuce and spinach for my chickens during the winter.

 

[ldrchickens]

I grew a chicken salad mix of seed in a 4x4 bed so I can cut a handful of greens daily or several times a week if need to stretch out. Grows quickly. See my review for contents of seed packet and info.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/chicken-salad-seed-mix.11878/ . If out of fresh garden greens: I feed carrot tops, turnip tops, some cabbage leaves tied with string in coop run or put in peck n play ball like this__https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/ware-chicken-peck-n-play-boredom-busting-ball.11882/ . Whatever greens are in my kitchen.
Can also just hang one small cabbage ball for them to peck and entertain themselves.

thanks im checking it out now