Whole Dried Peas?

[Zanna]

Hi Zanna,

have you thought of soaking/sprouting the peas? It makes them so much better nutritionally (lower levels of anti-nutritional compounds) and far easier for the birds to digest.

I sprout everything here: wheat; peas; corn; sunflower; you name it. Just soak 24 hours in a large water bucket then hang in a bag and feed out over the next 3-4 days. Works brilliantly and keeps birds in good health (along with other ingredients of course).

cheers
Erica

I will probably do some of that....... I sprout oats for the breeders locked up in the breeder pens. The egglayers and the youngsters free-range year round, all daylight hours on 11 diverse acres of grass/hayfields, woodlot and weed patches. With the cost of commercial bagged feeds going sky high I have been looking into alternatives. One of our local feed co. makes a slightly less expensive bagged feed that you feed 50% of the feed alongside 50% grains. With the free-ranging I think even if they choose to eat less than 50% of the commercial feed (contains all the vits., etc.) they are still getting a good balance. I bought several barrels of corn and wheat and also the dried peas as I wanted to up the protein as I am working with Heritage Breeds. DH works in irrigation for the local farmers here in the Willamette Valley so we get quite a deal on the whole grains. Grew loads of sunflowers this year as well as pumpkins, kale, chard, etc. (My best friend laughs when she goes into my garden, she says it looks like a "chicken" garden!) They love all of that and I will dry/freeze what I can and supplement with it all winter. Have also saved all the scraps from tuna/halibut/salmon fishing and crabbing this summer (frozen) and feed a small portion of that daily. The birds are looking/producing/hatching well so I think I am doing ok. I also try to keep things as simple as possible, want to keep costs down and be as self-sufficient as possible.

Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated!

 

[countrygoddess]

One thing to remember when feeding the larger items (whole corn, peas, etc) is that the birds expend more energy breaking those down. In the winter that might be energy better used keeping warm, and also energy better used producing eggs all year.

 

[Chris09]

One thing to remember when feeding the larger items (whole corn, peas, etc) is that the birds expend more energy breaking those down. In the winter that might be energy better used keeping warm, and also energy better used producing eggs all year.

So that you know Corn will not make your bird warm, if you want to make warm/ hot then over feed them a high protein feed.

Chris

 

[countrygoddess]

Yes, I know it doesn't make them warm. There is some heat produced from the small amount of fermentation as the corn is being digested, but the energy required to break the corn down is greater; therefore, they would have more trouble staying warm in the winter.

 

[barbjess]

Quote:
General consensus, peas are fine to feed whole. I got some responses on the "Old Timers Thread" as well. Thanks for all your opinions everyone, I will be feeding the peas whole!
Hi Zanna,

Your post showed up when I was searching for feeding whole peas to chickens. Have you had any issues with feeding the peas whole? I have Canadian peas - and have been soaking and cooking them (a major chore) and would love to feed them whole to my year old flock.

Thanks

 

[what did I do]

Hi Zanna,

have you thought of soaking/sprouting the peas? It makes them so much better nutritionally (lower levels of anti-nutritional compounds) and far easier for the birds to digest.

I sprout everything here: wheat; peas; corn; sunflower; you name it. Just soak 24 hours in a large water bucket then hang in a bag and feed out over the next 3-4 days. Works brilliantly and keeps birds in good health (along with other ingredients of course).

cheers
Erica

 

Hi Zanna,

Your post showed up when I was searching for feeding whole peas to chickens.  Have you had any issues with feeding the peas whole?  I have Canadian peas - and have been soaking and cooking them (a major chore) and would love to feed them whole to my year old flock.

Thanks

I have been feeding peas for years. I have never had a problem with feeding them to the chickens. They do eat more of them when they are soft like when it rains on the peas that I've tossed out. I do not worry about feeding them whole and dry. I figure that if they want to eat them they can and if they don't eat them, no biggie. Some people will tell you that they do not eat them but they do if you are not so picky about when or how they eat them.

 

[barbjess]

thanks for your help on feeding whole peas...I tried it today with the chickens and they had no issues at all. The ducks however would have nothing to do with them. The ducks are SO fussy.

 

[Don P]

Along with sprouting or fodder, you might try fermenting which actually gives more nutritional yield,aids in their digestion and reduces amount of feed needed.
The fermenting adds probiotics and enzymes that help the breakdown of anti-nutrients, enzyme inhibitors and better protein digestion

I ferment most of my feed now. A little dry cracked or whole grains or pellets as a backup. But along with pasture they get mostly all fermented feed and a little fodder or sprouts from time to time or for pullets I haven't let out to pasture yet. Its a good way to get them on greens.

 

[Manhen]

Hi Zanna,

have you thought of soaking/sprouting the peas? It makes them so much better nutritionally (lower levels of anti-nutritional compounds) and far easier for the birds to digest.

I sprout everything here: wheat; peas; corn; sunflower; you name it. Just soak 24 hours in a large water bucket then hang in a bag and feed out over the next 3-4 days. Works brilliantly and keeps birds in good health (along with other ingredients of course).

cheers
Erica

Can you give more details and pics of this bag sprouting???!!!