Why sunflower seed?

[Ariel301]

I see that a lot of people like to feed black oil sunflower seed to their chickens. I've never done so, as it's kind of pricey...I was wondering what the benefits of it are?

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

If you ask my chooks, they will tell you that you are supposed to feed your flock BOSS because they really, really, really LOVE them!


Sunflower seeds are my "secret weapon" to get my chickens to do what I want them to do. Especially when I want them to go in to their henhouse at sometime other than dusk. They will go whereever the sunflower seeds are thrown, so I throw them where I want my birds to go, and they all follow.


Seems to me I have read that BOSS has a lot of protein in it, and as a result, is good for molting hens or other hens who need some extra protein.

 

[Dare 2 Dream Farm]

I can't find the reference but I have read that BOSS is great for healthy looking feathers and as Barry said, great for molting. We plant it in our pastures and gardens and cut the heads off to dry and feed to the chickens. They love it!

 

[Mattemma]

I have been shopping around for some in hopes that it will decrease the pecking/feather pulling. I did buy some shelled seeds from the food section.Lol,dd likes them too. Cheapest I have found is $11 for 25 pounds. I was hoping the feed store was cheaper,but theirs is about the same with 50 pounds at $23.

I will try and grow some but the squirrels usually tear them down before the seeds are even ready.

 

[lfreem2]

So, to confirm these BOSS seeds are shelled correct? You are not feeding the seeds inside the shell like in standard bird seed?

 

[bantams in Maine]

Where I live, I have access at my local feed store, to wild bird seed called Meaties. They are mostly hulled sunflower seeds. The chickens eat them enthusiastically. Personally, I wouldn't feed my chickens just black oil sunflower seeds in the shell because I think it's too much really rough, indigestible shell.

Lately my chickens have been enjoying the beginnings of fine spring weather and a dish of plain yogurt, a half of a Guinness chocolate cake (the cream cheese frosting was the first to go) and two cans of 2/$1.00 tuna fish.

They are bantams, they are enjoying being out of the coop, and the eggs they are finally laying couldn't be better!

I made a carrot cake this morning, and got a little too enthusiastic grating carrots, and I can tell you that my chickens were not the least bit interested in the extra carrots.

 

[AKsmama]

Quote:
Nope- most BOSS is the entire seed, shell and all. They eat it with no problems and love it. Mine follow me to the back door and stand there, staring in, until I toss a handful out for them.

 

[2DogsFarm]

I feed both my chooks & horses unshelled BOSS for the Omega-3 fatty acids.

Noone has a problem with the shells & both horses & chickens have soft shiny coats.

As a bonus, my horse manure pile grows a lovely crop of volunteer sunflowers from the seeds not totally digested.
The chicken pile does not, so I know the hens chew theirs 100 times

 

[Cindy in PA]

I thought BOSS was high in Omega 6, not Omega 3.

 

[Chris09]

BOSS is rich in Omega 6 and next to no Omega 3.

Sunflower seed -
• Sunflower seed is 14% -17% of protein, 32% of oil,
3 1/2% of mineral salts, but also 28 to 30% of crude
indigestible fibre.
This attractive analysis has misled many people.
One has heard of the enthusiast who planted acres of
sunflowers to produce the sole food of his poultry. Sunflower
seed is concentrated, and too rich for general
use—moderation is plainly indicated. Poultry are
ravenously partial to it, and will often overeat themselves.
Our friend the sparrow revels in sunflower seed
and diminishes the crop in an almost incredible manner.
Sunflower seed can often be obtained at fair prices,
and may be used with advantage, especially during the
moulting period and in cold weather. A supply may be
grown by planting a double row outside the runs. It
thus affords shade from the sun, shelter from wind, and
supplies a lot of valuable food.
Nitrogen - Free----18.8
Mineral Matter-----3.1
Calcium-------------0.17
Phosphorus--------0.52

Chris