I don't want to be that person.

[tribalacres]

I've tried to search the site, but was wondering if anyone can point me to an article where it discusses veggies/scraps to feed to chickens? I guess for the past year we've done commercial feed, grit, and oyster shell and was wondering if you all see improvements by supplementing scraps, veggies, and gardens. Do you build a garden for them? I'm sorry for all the loaded questions. This isn't a cost thing for us, as we don't care what we spend on them. It's more of a variety thing wanting to produce the best of the best for them. We free range our chickens, free feed all day, etc. Just wanting to read up. Thanks and sorry if I'm that person that makes you think, "just read." , but I do try to search the articles. Thanks again.

 

[PioneerChicks]

This is the kind of stuff I love learning about, I hope I see other people's tips here!

I recommend fermenting feed and growing fodder. This year I'll be growing some greens for them, experimenting with grazing boxes, black soldier fly larvae, growing mangels (giant veggies that people used to feed livestock), and digging deeper into compost piles (literally!).

 

[LateBirdFarms]

It really depends a lot on how much work you want to put in as to how deep you can get. I don't have a garden dedicated to my flock, but they get most of the greens out of the garden we grow for ourselves. I tried sprouts, but couldn't dedicate the space necessary to have them growing on a staggered yield in a quantity that made me feel like it made a difference by the time they got them, so I usually pick up whatevers on sale at the grocery store in during the winter months to go with the pellets and scraps they already get.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I used the search feature for the articles.
So much great info here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=Treats for chickens&tab=620

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Poke around the site a bit more...there are a lot of threads about composting with chickens, growing things for your chickens, feeding food and garden scraps, etc.

I'm surprised search didn't turn them up.

I've been enjoying Composting chicken run lately, personally.

 

[21hens-incharge]

My search above is.....less than awesome in its results.

This is a pretty good article on treats.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-treat-chart—the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens.47738/

Maybe it worked this time....the link isn't behaving

I tested the above by copying and pasting into a new window and it works so why it didn't post as a link.

 

[tribalacres]

Thank you for all the suggestions

This is the kind of stuff I love learning about, I hope I see other people's tips here!

I recommend fermenting feed and growing fodder. This year I'll be growing some greens for them, experimenting with grazing boxes, black soldier fly larvae, growing mangels (giant veggies that people used to feed livestock), and digging deeper into compost piles (literally!).

Thank you, what amazing ideas!

 

[tribalacres]

It really depends a lot on how much work you want to put in as to how deep you can get. I don't have a garden dedicated to my flock, but they get most of the greens out of the garden we grow for ourselves. I tried sprouts, but couldn't dedicate the space necessary to have them growing on a staggered yield in a quantity that made me feel like it made a difference by the time they got them, so I usually pick up whatevers on sale at the grocery store in during the winter months to go with the pellets and scraps they already get.

We do this full-time so the more work the merrier. They barely sleep (we raise cattle too), so why should we! .

These are great tips too!

 

[tribalacres]

Poke around the site a bit more...there are a lot of threads about composting with chickens, growing things for your chickens, feeding food and garden scraps, etc.

I'm surprised search didn't turn them up.

I've been enjoying Composting chicken run lately, personally.

Almost a year and still don’t know how to search correctly. Maybe that should be an article. . Thanks. I’ll check it out.

 

[Bluebird4]

Yep! try feeding them grubs. found on amazon. as for greens any scraps will produce healthier hens and better eggs. a couple of things are poisonous, though, so make sure to do a google search before hand. let me know if you have any more questions.