Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

Sounds like I should keep the acorns to <20% of the diet due to tannins in the nut. That works for me as I don't care to spend loads of my time picking and smashing acorns

Some light reading on the subject:
http://www.atk.ke.hu/index.php?mid=60&did=181

One more forage item you could save for later when they don't have anything due to that dreaded cold.

 

[KlopKlop]

One more forage item you could save for later when they don't have anything due to that dreaded cold.

As long as you can keep te bugs from spoiling them

 

[scandiafowl]

But Ralphie. They have a gizzard and rocks in said gizzard.  Yeah I don't think my chickens know what they are for sure unless they are cracked open for them.  Although they have been foraging ALOT these last few weeks. 

Combination factors:  Seed heads on the grasses are good right now.  Cooler weather for moving about.  Or a new hatch of bugs and grasshoppers maybe....maybe... I wish I had more time to follow them around and watch.  I love that.  I know they love the crab grass seeds. 

Definitely the grasshoppers right now. But they won't touch an avocado seed.

My mother was sitting outside with her tomato avocado salad and in the moment she wasn't looking a chicken stole part of her avocado

Couldn't stop laughing!

 

[KlopKlop]

Definitely the grasshoppers right now. But they won't touch an avocado seed.

My mother was sitting outside with her tomato avocado salad and in the moment she wasn't looking a chicken stole part of her avocado

Couldn't stop laughing!

It must know that the pit is toxic. At least it is for most animals

 

[gofeedthegirls]

I have a stupid amount of acorns in the yard. Every tree in my yard is an oak tree. I like minnes idea of saving them up for the winter. The fat level in the acorns has to be pretty high so im sure the birds will enjoy the extra calories.

Looks like I will have to bust out the lawn sweeper and collect. I could easily fill a couple 55 gal jugs.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Yah. Avocoadoes and their tailings are not for chickens. Onions either. Not too many tomatoes are recommended for that matter either...however mine love them. Citrus. There's a nice list somewhere on BYC that gives the list.

 

[KlopKlop]

I have a stupid amount of acorns in the yard. Every tree in my yard is an oak tree. I like minnes idea of saving them up for the winter. The fat level in the acorns has to be pretty high so im sure the birds will enjoy the extra calories.

Looks like I will have to bust out the lawn sweeper and collect. I could easily fill a couple 55 gal jugs.

Don't go overboard. That study showed that too much can impact egg laying

Also, sprouting them was beneficial, similar to all other grains

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I believe there is also some thought on overboard with BOSS and tannins as well not being good for egg production.

 

[gofeedthegirls]

Don't go overboard. That study showed that too much can impact egg laying

Also, sprouting them was beneficial, similar to all other grains

I hear ya. I was just thinking you know on those days where you think all matter of life is dead from the cold it would be a nice healthy fatty treat for them. I would never try and ration acorns into a steady diet like the researchers did in the study.

 

[Cluckies]

Ralphie, I don't live in the city, but mine are pets, the eggs are incidental. I don't sell them, just give them away here and there. I only have 5 chickens. Had six, but you know one died. I originally was only going to get 3, but the guy at Ramsey feed said I should get 6. He said that some will just drop dead, some will get killed by a predator. If you only have 3 to start with, you could end up with only one, and chickens don't like to be alone. I'm just going to let them live out their lives. But, I have helped butcher chickens before, I could do it if I had to. and if shtf, I definitely would. But If that happens I'd get a ton more chickens and some roos . A goat or 3... sheep maybe. ..