I'd like to feed less grain

[BLaBauve]

My hens eat A LOT of their "feed". I give them cabbage, spinach, and scraps everyday. . . but mainly they eat their feed. They only free range for an hour a day because of hawks. During that time they eat worms and grass. I'd really like to feed them less "feed" even if I have to buy them greens. But I'm not sure what to feed them and how much. Does anyone have experience with this? Again, they are not free range chickens but I'd like them to eat a more natural diet without grains.

Thanks!

 

[Illia]

Have you tried simply clipping some grass for them? A lot of people who have confined chickens do that.

Also, you could try planting a garden for them. . . ? That way you don't pay so much for the vegetables.

Not sure what else to say. I free range mine, so. . I'm not sure on it, but Alfalfa pellets may help - If you give tiny amounts, and let them sit in water so they break up first. After all, it is a very rich food.

 

[BLaBauve]

We don't have much grass this time of year. Once the grass is growing strongly again I will give them lots of grass clippings.

 

[onthespot]

any roadside stands you can make a deal with for their brused, out of date fruit and vegetables?

 

[BLaBauve]

Hmm, that's a good idea. Thanks!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I have seen a lot of advice against grass clippings as it can lead to impacted crop. From what I've read when the chickens eat grass they tear off very small pieces, but clippings they swallow the whole blade. I don't know for sure, just passing on what I've read. I have had two with impacted crop over the years and they were both full of alfalfa hay (long pieces).

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
I also look for these at our local grocery store. When foods are getting close to expiration, they mark them down to sell more quickly. I always peruse the offerings of marked down food. I once got several bags of carrots that the horses really enjoyed, and I also look for vegies that the chooks might enjoy. In general they are 50% off but occasionally they lower them to 25% the original value.

 

[possumqueen]

Hey, BLaBauve!

Are you feeding a "formulated" feed or just scratch grains? If you're feeding a formulated or mixed feed, like chicken chow or something, you can be a little less worried about them getting everything they need.

Either way, I'm with you. More of the bugs and grazing and less of the bag stuff. There's something about sunshine, dirt and bugs that you just can't get into a bag!

Do you have a compost heap? If you do you might shovel a few scoops of composte into their pen for them to pick through. Then when they're finished you can mix it back into the compost heap, and it'll make the whole heap better.

Compost and chickens are a perfect match.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
This is true, don`t do it. You might get by with it and you might not. Why take a chance? Feed companies spend fortunes formulating their feeds. You can`t do much better, but you can do a lot worse. They need a balanced diet......Pop

 

[BLaBauve]

I feed them an organic, soy-free, mixture. I give very little scratch grains. My chickens are Fat they eat so much of it! But what they truly love is what they eat while free ranging. Sadly, they rarely get to free range. I'd like to supply them with a more natural diet while they live their lives in their run.

That's scary about grass clippings. We cut our grass once a week here in Georgia so the clippings are short. Is that still a problem?

Thanks!