Supplementing Greens in a Run

[pfost262]

I have my chickens in a run because I live near a high trafficked road and I'm afraid they may step out and get run over. Anyway, I've lost that dark yellow yolk! I was wondering what are some alternatives to getting it back other than going to the store to buy some greens, Can I buy a bail of timothy or alfalfa hay and just leave it in the run to allow them to pick at it?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

My chickens don't have access to grass in their run either, as we built their coop upon concrete to keep burrowing predators out. (But they do get to free range weekly in an area with grass.) Anyhow, below are some very helpful links to check out. As far as greens go, remember to not feed too much spinach and beet greens as this cuts back on the chicken's calcium intake. Also, remember, the yolk color does not always show how fresh the egg is. Some commercial egg sellers will actually put orange die in the eggs or feed their hens alfalfa just so that the egg yolks look fresh. So, look for a clear and creamy egg white, strong, smooth, hard-to-break shell and finally either a dark orange or light (not pale) yellow yolk.

And yes you give alfalfa to them to peck at.

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/03/you-cant-fake-fresh.html
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/02/egg-yolk-color-and-giveaway-from-nutrena.html
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2014/02/the-health-benefits-of-dandelions-for.html
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/02/winter-weeds-101.html
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/04/copycat-free-range-technique-for-your.html

 

[LindaB220]

I have my chickens in a run because I live near a high trafficked road and I'm afraid they may step out and get run over. Anyway, I've lost that dark yellow yolk! I was wondering what are some alternatives to getting it back other than going to the store to buy some greens, Can I buy a bail of timothy or alfalfa hay and just leave it in the run to allow them to pick at it?

Yes, it's great.

Edited: I see that you're not really new but keep posting. I've learned so much on BYC. Lots of great people

 

[Percheron chick]

A bale of alfalfa is great for them. It can provide hours of entertainment and the high carotene levels will get that rich color back in your eggs. If you have enough chickens just place the bale in the run protected from the rain. If you have just a few hens, throw them a flake every few days as they clean it up. If you've never bought a bale of alfalfa, you are looking for a bale that has very fine stems and an abundance of leaves. Typically the later the cutting is in the year the higher the quality. Might be 3-4-5th cutting. Ca and protein will go up nicely. They will eat the leaves and leave the stems. You can save the stems to bed your nesting boxes You can also make a compost pile inside the run and all your green yard waste will help.

 

[nab58]

You can collect your grass clipping by either using a bagger attached to your mower, raking or using scissors to cut some. Another alternative is to grow fodder. There are many threads here about fodder growing. It's really easy and inexpensive.

Another idea is to pull weeds from a field if you have one available. My chickens LOVE clover.

 

[donrae]

I grow containers of lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard for my hens. The Swiss chard even overwinters here, so I've got greens for them (and me!) all year long.