Grits and Alfalfa

[New Chicken Lady]

So, this is my first winter having my girls. I live in Georgia and the temps are still very mild. However, the greens are dying off quickly for my free-ranging girls. I had read that alfalfa hay is great for them (good nutrition and makes the yolks a nice, dark yellow). I bought some alfalfa hay at Tractor Supply. The girls nibbled on it, but didn't get as excited as I had hoped. Do I need to do something to break it down so they can eat it easier? Thinking the stalks are obviously tougher than the soft grass on which they've nibbled so far and may not be as appealing. Maybe it just takes time. I was also wondering about feeding warm, cooked grits. Know you can feed warm oatmeal and have read cooked grits are fine to feed. I was wondering if because grits are corn if that would help make their yolks more yellow? Their primary feed source is layer crumbles, so no worries about them not getting enough nutrition. I have also provided grit bc of the texture of the hay. Thanks in advance for all the fabulous advice. I have always gotten very valuable input from more experienced folks on this site.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens will not eat the stalks of hay, only the leaves and blades of grass. I give mine a mixed grass hay to pick through, they also like any fines that I sweep off the floor from the hay. Those bagged bags they sell for rabbits are too stemy to be worth feeding in my opinion.

You can feed grits cooked, your birds will enjoy them.

I would feed a higher protein ration if you are looking to add variety to their diet so the overall total protein isn't cut below the minimum 16% required daily. Most layers are 16% protein, so adding any extras can leave you birds deficit. I recommend a protein content of 18-22%. I personally feed an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells.

Things like greens and corn can boost egg yolk color. I'm not sure if grits will do the same.

 

[chickens really]

I'm Canadian....What the double Hockey sticks are Grits?...............

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm Canadian....What the double Hockey sticks are Grits?...............

I think they are gross myself. They are corn based mush breakfast type cereal thing. I prefer oatmeal.

 

[lazy gardener]

Grits are a bland white corn meal of a coarse grind. They are so bland that the southerners drown them in fat and other unhealthy junk to make them slide down better!

Ok, now that I've hurled the insult gauntlet, let's hear it from Y'all about the true nature and desireability of grits.

However, I think that OP was really asking about grit: as insoluble sharp bits of stone that the bird eats so her gizzard can grind up the alfalfa!

 

[chickens really]

I think they are gross myself. They are corn based mush breakfast type cereal thing. I prefer oatmeal.

Ick...I like Oatmeal too....Thanks for telling me...

 

[chickens really]

Grits are a bland white corn meal of a coarse grind. They are so bland that the southerners drown them in fat and other unhealthy junk to make them slide down better!

Ok, now that I've hurled the insult gauntlet, let's hear it from Y'all about the true nature and desireability of grits.

However, I think that OP was really asking about grit: as insoluble sharp bits of stone that the bird eats so her gizzard can grind up the alfalfa!

Oh.....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Grits are a bland white corn meal of a coarse grind. They are so bland that the southerners drown them in fat and other unhealthy junk to make them slide down better!

Ok, now that I've hurled the insult gauntlet, let's hear it from Y'all about the true nature and desireability of grits.

However, I think that OP was really asking about grit: as insoluble sharp bits of stone that the bird eats so her gizzard can grind up the alfalfa!

Nope, the OP was talking about cooked warm grits. At least that's how I'm reading it.

 

[Fairview01]

I'm Canadian....What the double Hockey sticks are Grits?...............

Think wall paper paste.

 

[lazy gardener]

Well, bless my little heart! I read it wrong. Very occasional use of grits as a treat would be ok, but remember, any time you give them something like this, you are cutting their protein intake.

You'll also need to be sure they have access to GRIT, especially if there is no naturally occurring insoluble stone particles in your soil.