Question about alfalfa

[llombardo]

There is a fairly local feed mill (couple hours away) that blends scratch with alfalfa pellets in it. I've noticed the same thing, the birds aren't as into the pellets as they are the loose hay. That alfalfa sure keeps the yolks dark in winter though, plus It's got a decent amount of calcium in it!

I wonder if I can crumble up the cubes and pull out pieces they can eat dry?

 

[ShannonR]

I wonder if I can crumble up the cubes and pull out pieces they can eat dry?

I see no reason not to try it! Alfalfa cubes and pellets are the stem and leaf all crushed up together and pressed into cubes... or pellets. I think the problem here is, the chickens want to pick through and eat just the leaf matter. They can't do it with the cubes and pellets.

 

[llombardo]

I see no reason not to try it! Alfalfa cubes and pellets are the stem and leaf all crushed up together and pressed into cubes... or pellets. I think the problem here is, the chickens want to pick through and eat just the leaf matter. They can't do it with the cubes and pellets.

I'll try it and let you know.

 

[Chickassan]

Oh geeze, I wouldn't want a thing to do with that! 50lb is pretty much half my weight, no biggie I can handle that but that "easy carry strap" is thin plastic so it feels really nice digging into your hands. I really love the way the TSC guys, all big strapping men offer to help me out when i'm three feet from the truck too. Boy would I EVER be in a pickle if they wern't on the job.

We got 20 tons delivered on December 11th! Ours was mostly briar free but in 100 &100+ lb bales... just looking at the loaded semi I almost got a hernia!

 

[ShannonR]

I'll try it and let you know.

Thanks! I'm curious to see how it works out.

 

[NNYchick]

I did read an article about alfalfa tea. Maybe you could use the cubes. In the article she mixed the tea 1:1 with water in the waterer. I will try to find the article. Edit added article link: https://www.moonlightmileherbs.com/calciumandproteintea.html

 

[50-45-1]

Alfalfa hay is a great boredom breaker in the winter for my chickens when they can not get outside.
They spend alot of time scraching apart the flake i give them and picking out the tasty and nutricious leaves.
I would never use this hay in my nest boxes as it would encourage scratching there and result in broken eggs. I use straw in my nest boxes.