supplementing layers' diets in winter?

[teach1rusl]

Fred's Hens :

http://www.tractorsupply.com/cattle-calf-feed/standlee-hay-alfalfa-hay-pellets-5121762

Just looking at TSC, only because of it's vast store network, they have alfalfa in bales and pellets. These look reasonably affordable. 50 pounds for $12. Not too bad. Thinking about softening these before feeding, as they'd likely be too large to eat as is.

Thanks Fred (and Chris)

So you think just soaking in water to soften, and then mix with feed??? Or will they eat it alone Chris??​

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Thanks Fred (and Chris)

So you think just soaking in water to soften, and then mix with feed??? Or will they eat it alone Chris??

I feed a moistened mash anyhow, so softening some alfalfa and mixing seems a good place to start.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Thanks Fred (and Chris)

So you think just soaking in water to soften, and then mix with feed??? Or will they eat it alone Chris??

This is what my Alfalfa Meal looks like,

I have never tried the Alfalfa Pellets on poultry of even soaking them.

Chris

 

[teach1rusl]

No offense...but that looks like a cow patty...lol

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
lol,
It's just very finely ground Alfalfa, like what they use to make the pellet.
The other this you could use is Alfalfa Chops or Timothy Chops, it is coarser than Meal. TSC carries it but I have never tried there's.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/horse-feed/t-n-t-timothy-alfalfa-chops-40-lb--5048362

Chris

 

[remuda1]

I have alfalfa for my horses and sheep, I also just throw a flake into the run for the chickens. They have a great time scratching and pecking at it when they are confined to the run. I'll break it up a bit and hose it down. I had a horse choke on the cubes when I was young so haven't used those since then but I don't remember them having much leaf to them. More like compressed stems.... That was a long time ago though and they might be made differently now. I'm pretty sure you could find them at any local feed store. Possibly cheaper than at TSC.