the flock needs greens... attempting to grow alfalfa! *UPDATE post 15*

[technodoll]

This website inspired me to give it a go!

http://www.backyardnature.net/simple/alf-spr.htm

Looks simple enough, found alfalfa seeds at the feedstore today ($3 a pound but a little goes a long way) and if all goes well, in a week I should have a nice bunch of crunchy greens to give to the flock!

Poor things haven't free-ranged in 2 months thanks to the snow, and will likely not see any greens until April...

I hope it works!

Anyone else tried this before?

 

[Organics North]

It should work just fine. Read up on sprouting. Feel free to ask questions.
(I have a constant rotation of sprouting trays...) My girls get them everyday.
ON

 

[technodoll]

Cool! So the flock likes the greens enough to make it worthwhile?

My mom used to grow sprouts when we were little, I haaated them.... still do, they taste like soap

 

[comp6512]

Lordy! $3/pound! How about some redneck chopped cabbage, you might steam it a little so it softens up. How about some collard greens? You can steam a bit those too. Shredded carrots? Heck, even lettuce leftovers from your salad plate. What did chicken eat in nature when it snowed? I'm sure they dug something up from under, certainly not alfafia sprouts.

Please dont' take me wrong, I am not opposed to treating your chickens like royalty. Just thought of other, less expensive alternatives. But that's just me.

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
Yep, things like Alfalfa and clover seeds are $$$.

I sprout very little clover. I mostly sprout Oats, Wheat and Black Oil Sunflower seeds for the gals. (Just grains in the 50lbs sacks, not anything special for sprouting.) Very cost effective that way! Also all the leftover greens from the kitchen or indoor garden go the the ladies also.

What did chickens eat in the snow???? Don't think chickens come from snowy climates... Our grouse are sorta like chickens and they eat buds off trees in the winter.

ON

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
Well, a small cabbage here costs about $1.50 and lasts the flock about 2 hours, they go MAD for the stuff! I toss it whole and raw in their coop to try and make the fun last but they are just starving for greens. A small head of lettuce is about $2, that lasts 10 minutes!

1 lbs of alfalfa seeds will make many, many big jars of sprouts, so it's the most cost-effective thing I've found so far...

IF I can grow them right.

 

[gsim]

Quote:
In Tennessee we have little snow in winter. I have located 3 different weeds that grow here that my chooks love. I sometimes go pick a bucket full and toss them in. They eat them roots and all!

Do not throw away brocolli stems either. Cut them up and mix with chook treats like I do. They are really good for them but to tough for salads. In warm weather, I dump grass clippings by the bushel in their run. I use dried clippings for litter and nests. Free, works great, and smells good too.

Also, try a sweet potato pinata instead of lettuce or cabbage. It lasts longer and they love them.

 

[nanawendy]

I've been using the growth that comes from horse poo. I've struggled for years to keep it out of the garden, but this year when picking late planted greens for the chickas... I grabbed a hand full of the sprouts. Wow the girls loved it. It's free easy to pull up and they gobble it up. Happy day- a use for horse poo sprouts!

 

[cassie]

I just buy a bale of nice alfalfa hay and put some as needed in a hay feeder I hung in the coop. They eat a surprising amount of it. The egg yolks are nice dark yellow/orange. Works for us and it's easy.

 

[briteday]

During the winter I buy a bag of alfalfa horse cubes. I take a black rubber bowl and put a layer of cubes in the bottom, bring it in the house and cover with water to soak overnight. Voila, in the morning we have rehydrated greens.