Tag: chicken nutrition

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Is Alfalfa The Right Choice For Your Poultry?

Hay is not just for horses anymore!

Alfalfa is one of the predominant crops grown in the rural area where I live, and because we have horses and other farm animals, we happen to purchase a lot of it! Although we regularly feed alfalfa to our horses and other farm animals, I hadn’t ever really thought of feeding it to my chickens and geese until recently. And as I am learning, it turns out that alfalfa is actually good for a lot more things then just feeding to horses.

Apparently alfalfa is one of the oldest domesticated crops in the world and is presently grown on over 20 million acres of farmland in America. Alfalfa is part of the legume family, which was new to me. I always thought that legumes were beans and peas. Come to find out, that’s not the case. Other plants like clover, mesquite, lupine and locoweed are all part of the legume family. Not exactly what I think of when considering beans and peas.

The alfalfa plant is a perennial, living generally 4 to 8 years. It grows to a height of about 3 feet, and has a deep root system which allows it to seek out available sources of groundwater. In most areas, alfalfa can be harvested 3 to 4 times a year, but in some climates it can be harvested up to 11 times a year. The plants consist of roots, stems, leaves and small purple flowers. Following the flowers are spiraled fruits which contain 10 to 20 seeds.

The alfalfa plant is high in protein and contains a greater concentration of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and selenium then other grass feeds. It is considered a good source of calcium for all animals. I hope that includes chickens! It is also a good source of vitamins B, C, and K, and if you happen to be looking for deep yellow or orange yolks in your chicken’s eggs, you’ll be happy to know that alfalfa is high in carotenoids which are very efficient in coloring egg yolks.

There are many articles out there on alfalfa. Some articles state that alfalfa is difficult for chickens and geese to digest and might cause crop impaction. Other articles suggested that if the long stems were chopped, they were more easily digested. And, there are still others which talk more about the nutritional benefits and don’t really mention crop impaction.

When I decided to try feeding alfalfa to my chickens and geese, I considered these possible problems along with the nutritional benefits and the availability of alfalfa during the winter months when the ground is covered in snow. Here is what I did: First I made sure that my birds had access to plenty of grit to be able to adequately digest the alfalfa. Second, the alfalfa that I fed to my birds was the clean loose leaves found on the floor of the barn around broken bales, trying to avoid the long, thick stems. Lastly, I fed the alfalfa as a part of a well rounded diet which includes a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, greens and other appropriate food sources for chickens and geese. The pan of alfalfa leaves that I initially offered my chickens and geese was met with enthusiasm. They were so excited to see the green on their winter plates.

I continue to give my birds a couple of handfuls of alfalfa leaves with their morning meal, making sure that all feed is eaten before any additional foods are offered in the evening. I don’t want my birds to eat only alfalfa to the exclusion of the other nutritious foods they get everyday. It is my belief that no animal should be fed the same diet day in and day out. Left to nature our animals would be enjoying a variety of foods and nutritional sources. I highly doubt that my hens would make a beeline in the pasture straight to that bag of processed layer feed while passing up leaves, seeds, bugs and worms. Although I know I can’t imitate Mother Nature perfectly, I try to give it my best shot. I do believe that prepackaged feeds have their place in an animal’s diet. After all, I can’t grow and process all my animal’s feed needs, nor do I want to. Animal health, longevity and enjoying mealtime are the goals on my farm. Another bonus is that alfalfa ranges between 15% to 20% crude protein.depending on the cutting. Even though I usually give my hens the winter off from egg laying, I think that this added source of protein should help my birds stay warm and healthy through the cold and be ready for a strong egg laying season as the days get longer.

So, my plan is to continue to provide my birds with a daily dose of alfalfa leaves, at least through the winter, and monitor their health, egg laying progress and enthusiasm at the sight of green alfalfa!

Sources:
Benefits of Alfalfa for Animals – Midwest Forage Association

The Benefits of Growing Alfalfa Extend Beyond Animal Feed

Wikipedia – Alfalfa

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Planning your Micro-Homesteading/Hobby-Farm Chicken Garden for 2024

Can you believe that it’s January already!? It’s time to start planning out my spring garden. Here are some vegetables that I like to plant every year because I know that I will have plenty to satisfy the needs of my family, plus have lots of extras to feed my animals. I also know that including a rotation of these nutritionally dense foods in the diets of my animals will aid in promoting good health.

The first food is tomatoes, especially cherry or grape tomatoes. One cherry tomato plant seems to produce hundreds of little tomatoes. I have enough to put in salads, enjoy with a little mozzarella cheese and Italian dressing, AND supplement my chicken’s diet. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and potassium, as well as vitamins A, C, K, and B9. Those little red fruits can be one of the most nutritious sources of food that your chickens will love to peck at.

We all know the joke about not leaving your car unlocked at church on Sunday, or you might come out and see that it’s been filled with your neighbor’s excess zucchini! I like to use zucchini in salads, eat it fried, and bottle relish, but if you can keep those pesky squash bugs at bay, you can have plenty of this vegetable to share with your birds and other farm animals, all summer and well into the fall. Zucchini is not only safe for chickens but also offers a range of nutritional benefits such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Including zucchini in your chickens’ diet will benefit them and help you make good use of all the zucchini the neighbors provide.

Cucumbers are another crop that is refreshing to use in summer salads, solo with a little dip, or in vinegar with onions. Even if you bottle some for pickles and relish, there always seems to be plenty of these crisp vegetables to share with the chickens. Chickens can eat the flesh, peels, and cucumber seeds. Cucumbers are a healthy food source rich in vitamins A, C, B6, and K, as well as manganese and copper. Because cucumbers contain a lot of water, they can be very beneficial in helping to keep your birds hydrated on those hot summer days.

Greens! Lots and lots of greens! From leafy salad greens to kale and Swiss chard, your animals will thoroughly enjoy sharing these delightful treats with you. Greens, especially salad greens, are easy to grow in the garden, in containers, and even in hydroponic gardens. Some of my favorites include leafy lettuce, which provides a lot of nutrients like vitamins A, B-complex, C, K, folate, and lots of water! Curly kale is another one of my favorites, which includes much of the above, as well as manganese, calcium, and potassium. Rainbow Swiss chard boasts the addition of vitamin E and phosphorus, as well as fun and colorful stalks.

Let’s not forget pumpkins. Pumpkins are always a staple of my garden. I love their bright orange color in my fall garden and as fall decorations around my home. It’s always a surprise to see how many more pumpkins I actually end up with as they begin to turn color, then what I am able to spy when they are green. I don’t usually use a lot of pumpkin in my cooking, but all my animals, dogs, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits, love the orange flesh and jumbo seeds. Farmers have long believed that feeding their animals the seeds of pumpkins was a natural wormer. Although pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin, a compound proven to be an effective wormer, there is discussion as to whether or not the handful of pumpkin seeds our chickens consume is enough to be effective. Regardless, it certainly won’t hurt them, and if there is a chance that they might help, I say go for it!

Giving some thought to planning your family garden and taking into consideration foods that are healthy and beneficial for your animals will not only help your animals enjoy feeding time more, but it will help with food costs, reduce waste, and promote good health. What fun things do you plant for your animals?

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What Things Affect Egg Laying?

Most chicken farmers know that as winter approaches, egg laying decreases. But there are also other times during the year that we might see a fluctuation in egg production and wonder what is going on? Let’s explore some of the things that can affect a hen’s egg production.

black hen laying eggs
The average egg-laying cycle takes 25 hours from start to finish.
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Oyster Shell vs. Chicken Grit

I often read comments from people indicating some confusion in understanding the difference between chicken grit and oyster shell. Oyster shell and grit are two different products that accomplish two different things, and they are NOT interchangeable. Let’s take a look at the two products and their purposes.

Black hen looking at the camera while resting in a nesting box
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Feeding Senior Chickens

I was at the feed store the other day and noticed a new addition to the supply of scratch feeds, laying pellets, and chick starters. There was a daily feed that has been formulated especially for Senior Hens! I guess that is because chickens are being kept more and more as pets these days and our hens are living longer…maybe even well passed the age of egg laying! There is absolutely nothing wrong with this at all. Sometimes our hens become as cherished as the family dog or horse. After all, they have probably served us well through several years of good egg laying, entertainment and maybe even companionship. But just like people and other animals, dietary needs change as a chicken ages.

chicken eating apple
This old matriarch sure enjoys a good piece of fruit on a hot day!
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Can I Feed Eggs To My Chickens?

The answer to that question is a resounding YES! Eggs are an excellent source of protein and make a great treat for chickens. The egg white contains more than half of the egg’s protein and none of the fat. The yolk contains all of the fat and most of the egg’s vitamins. In fact the egg yolk is one of the few foods which naturally contains vitamin D. Eggs are not fortified with vitamin D as is milk and some brands of yogurt and orange juice. The egg is also considered a complete protein food because it has all of the essential amino acids, and it’s tasty. So, yes, it’s not only o.k. to feed eggs to your chickens, but eggs are a healthy supplement which your birds will thoroughly enjoy!

chickens eating mashed eggs
Your chickens will thoroughly enjoy a treat of scrambled eggs!
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Can Chickens Eat Rice?

I remember going to weddings when I was younger, one of the best parts was getting one of those cute little netted bags that was tied with a pretty silky ribbon and contained rice. Throwing rice over the bride and groom as they ran to their waiting “Just Married” car was a much anticipated tradition at weddings. Apparently this tradition dates back to the ancient Romans. Tossing rice at the end of the wedding reception is meant to symbolize rain, which is said to be a sign of prosperity, fertility and good fortune. In more recent years, bird seed has replaced rice because some folks believed that rice was bad for birds, that if consumed the rice would mix with moisture in the birds stomach and expand and cause problems. In fact, you can still find evidence of this myth circulating on the internet today.

Chicken looking at can of rice
The truth is that uncooked rice is just fine for chickens.
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Fermenting Feeds

Fermenting animal feed is not really a new thing. Come to find out, farmers have been fermenting feed for a lot of years. It seems like recently though, fermenting feed has been gaining popularity, probably due to the the increased number of urban chicken farmers and hobby farmers. I have had chickens and goats for a long time, and I think I must be one of the last chicken farmers to hop on the feed fermenting wagon. I am not one to do things just because everybody else does them. I probably should have done my fermenting research years ago, but, I guess that life got in the way. My husband would likely tell you that the chickens eat better than he does anyway, so why mess with a good thing. The last few months have been filled with “ahah” moments, and understanding the practice and benefits of fermentation has been one of those. I am just beginning the feed fermentation practice with all my animals, not just chickens, and I don’t have all of the final results in, like who finds it tasty and who doesn’t and how much money I will save, but I would like to share some of the things that I have learned.

chickens eating fermented feed
First taste of fermented feed.

All grains, seeds and legumes contain phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. These protect the grains and seeds, and act kind of like preservatives. That is why grains, like wheat, have a long storage life and why seeds stay viable in the dirt through the winter until conditions are good for growing. Phytic acid is referred to as an anti-nutrient because it inhibits the absorption of iron, zinc and calcium. It only inhibits the absorption of these nutrients during the meal that phytic acid is being consumed. If you eat a food containing phytic acid during lunch, than it will inhibit the absorption of specific nutrients only during that meal. It will not affect future meals where foods with phytic acid are not consumed. In some countries where grains and legumes are eaten frequently, cases of malnutrition can occur. People who eat well-balanced meals are generally not affected. But, if our animals eat grains, seeds and legumes at every meal, it leaves me to wonder just how their diets and especially their nutritional needs are being impacted.

Avoiding foods that contain phytic acid is not necessarily the right thing to do as these foods offer a variety of valuable nutrients, and it is thought that phytic acid might actually be beneficial as a protection against kidney stones and some cancers. Fortunately, there are methods of preparation that will reduce the phytic acid in grains, seeds and legumes. Soaking these foods in water overnight will reduce their phytate content. Sprouting grains, seeds and legumes will further degrade it’s content, and fermentation is the third option for reducing phytic acid. Using a combination of all three methods can significantly reduce the phytate content of grains, seeds and legumes. I hope that wasn’t too confusing. In a nut shell, phytic acid does offer nutritional benefits and should be consumed, but if eaten every day at every meal, it can negatively affect the absorption of other important nutrients.

sprouting lentils on a windowsill
Sprouting lentils for my chickens.

I presently sprout lentils, a legume, for my birds. I know that they love them and I did it initially as an inexpensive way provide my hens with greens during the winter months. I knew that they had added health benefits, but I didn’t exactly understand how. Now that I have a basic understanding of the workings of phytic acid, the benefits of sprouting makes a little more sense.

Fermentation takes the nutritional benefits of sprouting one step further. Fermented feed aids in digestion, strengthens the immune system, improves food conversion, increases the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals, forms kind of a natural barrier to pathogens like E. coli and salmonella, and has been known to increase egg weight. In addition, because fermented food is easier to digest and nutrients are absorbed more readily, animals do not have to eat as much and as such, they poop less too!

How does fermenting work? Fermentation is a chemical process by which molecules are broken down without air. The fermentation process begins by taking your grains, seeds and/or legumes and covering them with water. They will expand as they absorb the water, general doubling in size. Lactobacillus, a good bacteria is what actually starts the fermenting by consuming the sugars making lactic acid. The lactic acid creates an environment that is inhospitable to bad bacteria. It’s kind of the same principle that works with sourdough starter, if you have ever worked with that. As long as your grains are submerged in the water, they will be preserved and won’t spoil or mold. The fermentation process can take 24 to 72 hours depending on the temperature of the environment you are fermenting in. You can let your feed ferment longer, but the sour taste will get stronger the longer it ferments. You can tell that the process is working when you see bubbles forming, a sign of gasses being released, and by a slight sour smell, again a process similar to that which takes place with sourdough starter.

jar of fermented grain
My first test in fermenting. After 12 hours the grains expanded, almost doubling in size.

I tested out the fermenting process on a small scale, I didn’t want to ruin a lot of feed if I goofed. I filled a quart jar halfway full of dry feed mix and then filled it full of tap water. I covered it loosely and let it sit. Pretty simple. (You can make your batch as large or as small as will work for you and your animals.) The feed absorbed the water quickly and expanded. Within about 12 hours I noticed bubbles forming. I checked on the mix occasionally throughout the process to make sure the grains remained submerged. The sunflower seeds in my mix rose to the top and floated, so I will probably add them in at the end of the fermentation process in future batches, just to prevent the chance of any spoilage. After 72 hours, my mix had some good bubbles, and a slight sour smell. The first batch I fed to the chickens and they gobbled it right up. It was a small sampling, so they also had their dry mix. With some hens, the fermented feed seemed to be their first choice, while others, they enjoyed their dry mix and then sampled the fermented feed. In any case, it didn’t stay around long. The second batch I tried out on the ducks. They weren’t quite as excited about it, but ended up eating it all. Because it’s kind of soupy, I thought the ducks would love it! I read where some farmers drained most of the water off their fermented feed to obtain a drier texture, but I figure if the grains are good for my animals, then why wouldn’t the water be good as well. It all depends on what my animals like and will eat. You can also add some of the fermented water to future batches of grain to jump start the fermenting process.

top of fermentation jar
Bubbles are a sign of success, along with a slightly sour smell.

I also decided that if eating fermented food was good for people and chickens, why not the rest of the farm animals. So, today I started three different batches of fermenting feed: one for the chickens and ducks, one for the goats and one for the rabbits. (Note: for the rabbits, I am fermenting grains, not processed rabbit food pellets.) I am anxious to see if the health benefits are readily noticeable, and to see if cost savings are evident. With the cost of everything increasing, it would be nice to be able to provide my animals with a healthier diet for less money!

chickens continue to eat fermented feed
Have you tried fermenting animal feed? What has been your experience?

Resources:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Biological_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Biological_Chemistry)/Metabolism/Catabolism/Fermentation
https://naturalfactors.com/en-us/articles/fermented-foods-for-better-nutrition/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/phytic-acid-101#section5
https://permaculturenews.org
http:// https://www.gardenbetty.com/why-and-how-to-ferment-your-chicken-feed/
http:// https://homesteadingfamily.com/raising-healthy-chickens-make-your-own-fermented-chicken-feed-in-6-easy-steps/

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Chicken Treats

If you are like me, one of the things you really enjoy doing is spoiling your chickens…with treats! It’s fun to watch the enthusiasm in my chickens when they greet me thinking I have yummy stuff just for them, and it’s fun to watch my roosters as they call all of their lady friends over when they think they have a special snack to share. Treat time appears to be an exciting time for my chickens and I’m sure it is for your birds too! What are some things we should know about treats for our birds?

chicken looking at assorted treats
So excited for treat time, she can hardly contain herself!
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