Greens when grass is gone

[mixedbreeds]

This was about 10 days of growth last winter, like I said you really need to watch out for mold 7 days might be better. I don’t know what the deal is with the mold I have no problem with mold in the winter but when spring and summer rolls around it will be moldy in 4 days. I don’t understand it as I grow it all in my house, but have to stop in the spring. Like anything else at first the chickens look at it like it’s going to kill them, then they come around and start trying it now they devour it.

 

[ldrchickens]

They can be very picky

i swear i have the pickiest chickens. they hardly touch anything and what they do eat takes them forever lol. my grandmas chickens are like garbage disposals. heck i got one that wont touch anything but chicken feed

 

[EggWalrus]

i swear i have the pickiest chickens. they hardly touch anything and what they do eat takes them forever lol. my grandmas chickens are like garbage disposals. heck i got one that wont touch anything but chicken feed

What breeds do you have? Some love to forage and will eat any thing that gets in front of them. Then there are some that just lay around lazy and you HAVE to feed.

 

[ldrchickens]

What breeds do you have? Some love to forage and will eat any thing that gets in front of them. Then there are some that just lay around lazy and you HAVE to feed.

2 silkies, 1 sizzle, 1 polish top hat (shes the one who wont touch anything), 1 showgirl, 2 lavender orp, and one mystery blend lol. i cant get most of them to even touch corn or apples

 

[cassie]

I used to give mine greens by feeding alfalfa hay. I put a small flake in a hay feeder and let them have at it. If nothing else it kept them busy and occupied.

 

[Aceoky]

IIRC , you should be careful with spinach as it can mess with calcium uptake

 

[ldrchickens]

I've been doing a lot of sprouting lately too. It's a lot better for them than just feeding them dried seeds. Plus it really helps with the feed bill as many birds as I have. Turn a couple lbs of wheat and beans into a whole 5 gal bucket of feed that they love.

so like to you sprout scratch seeds or bird seeds or what exactly?

 

[EggWalrus]

2 silkies, 1 sizzle, 1 polish top hat (shes the one who wont touch anything), 1 showgirl, 2 lavender orp, and one mystery blend lol. i cant get most of them to even touch corn or apples

Wow! That's REALLY strange, chickens that won't eat corn! Might be something wrong with them. Better ask @aart, @KikiLeigh02 , or some of the other old timers here.

 

[EggWalrus]

so like to you sprout scratch seeds or bird seeds or what exactly?

You can sprout almost any kind of seeds that have not been treated with a sprout inhibiter.
I buy wheat berries, whole oats, and other seed from the co-op or directly from the feed mill in 50lb bags. I have sprouted scratch but the seeds in it don't all sprout at the same time and some don't sprout at all.
If you don't have many birds and you just want to sprout for treats, you can buy lentils, blackeyed peas, whole barley or other grains/beans from your local grocery store. There are lots of good articles here on BYC that will instruct you how.
Good luck!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'm thinking you may have meant to tag @Texas Kiki! I want to say sometimes with Polish the crest is an issue when it comes to eating, but I'm not sure. @CapricornFarm might know.