Chickens can eat hay and it can in fact be a fun snack for them as hay bales include a wide variety of snacks inside like insects and little greens. It shouldn’t be used to replace chicken feed but it can still be used . Straw, on the other hand, is used as chicken coop bedding .
You see, we use hay for bedding year round and have never had any problems. I was warned early on, and have also seen on BYC, that hay is not good for chickens. They do eat it, unlike straw, and it can sometimes lead to inpacted crop. The impacted crop is a risk, especially without adequate grit.
They prefer vegetation on the ground so they can pick on the tender part, vegetables or grass trimmings thrown pre-cut seemed to be much less preferable. My friend also suggested dried alfafa hay. Anyway, people who say that chickens live mostly on grain don’t know what they are talking about.
This of course begs the question “What is better straw or hay for chickens?”
, and midwife mama. I have been told conflicting advice regarding which to use in the coop (deep litter) and in the run. ~*sweet cheeks*~, easton coop, mmpoultryfarms, barry1963, settin’_prettymontanasandy, tyrannosauruschixnevadaron, or dappertophatter too are a few extra items to pay attention too.
What can chickens eat out of the garden?
, basil, mint Moringa (I have this planted behind our chicken coop. I imagine they eat the leaves, but I know they love to hang out back there in the shade. Muskmelons.
While writing we ran into the question “Can chickens eat dairy products?”.
Dairy products are a good source of protein and other vitamins and minerals such as Calcium; all of which a chicken needs in their diet for optimal health and good egg-production. However, milk should be fed in limited quantities and in moderation to prevent digestive issues and distress.
Cheese is another dairy product, and although there are loads of different types of cheese it’s typically a lot higher in protein than milk while containing less lactose. So, in theory, it’s better and easier for chickens to digest than milk .
Will chickens drink milk?
Yes, chickens can drink milk and other dairy products. Chickens generally really enjoy consuming milk along with a variety of cheeses. Dairy products are a good source of protein and other vitamins and minerals such as Calcium; all of which a chicken needs in their diet for optimal health and good egg-production.
Can I give my chickens milk?
The answer to that, as with so much in chicken keeping, is “no, but “. Poultry are basically lactose-intolerant. That is, they do not have enough of the right enzymes to be able easily to digest milk or other dairy products.
Can chinchillas drink milk?
Chickens can drink a small amount of milk and have other dairy products without issue, but the keywords are “small amount”. It’s a treat food, it’s not something you should give them to try and boost their protein or calcium intake or to spoil them too often.