Sunflower heads

[Shazz1]

Hi is it safe to give my ladies whole sunflower heads so they can get the seeds themselves
Thank you

 

[21hens-incharge]

How many birds and how big is the sunflower head?

I would think the biggest issue could be to many seeds=pigging out.

For bigger heads maybe break them into more reasonably sized chunks.

 

[Shazz1]

How many birds and how big is the sunflower head?

I would think the biggest issue could be to many seeds=pigging out.

For bigger heads maybe break them into more reasonably sized chunks.

We have 8 chucks and seem to have a lot of sunflowers that have grown out of the blue,
We weren’t sure wether we could put some in for the girls or if there was something on them that wasn’t good for them,

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

They should be fine...and I would think the heads could be harvested and dried so you could portion them out reasonably as @21hens-incharge suggested.

 

[21hens-incharge]

We have 8 chucks and seem to have a lot of sunflowers that have grown out of the blue,
We weren’t sure wether we could put some in for the girls or if there was something on them that wasn’t good for them,

They are safe. I give mine sunflower heads. For a flock of 8 I would give pieces no bigger than about 6" around. I know that it is impossible to break them perfectly. Just estimate when you break them up.
A couple pieces a week won't hurt them.

I grow a variety called lemon queen just for the birds. They have numerous blooms that form 6" or smaller seed heads.

 

[RojoMarz]

They are safe. I give mine sunflower heads. For a flock of 8 I would give pieces no bigger than about 6" around. I know that it is impossible to break them perfectly. Just estimate when you break them up.
A couple pieces a week won't hurt them.

I grow a variety called lemon queen just for the birds. They have numerous blooms that form 6" or smaller seed heads.

Thanks! I was pondering planting sunflowers next year, and this info is great.

 

[RojoMarz]

@21hens-incharge - Do the heads need to be dried or can the be given to chickens straight off the plant?

 

[21hens-incharge]

@21hens-incharge - Do the heads need to be dried or can the be given to chickens straight off the plant?

Mine tend to be straight off the plant.
This year a hoard of squirrels got fat picking them early.