My horse normally gets 2 flakes of coastal hay per day. As a Christmas surprise, I bought some green alfalfa for her & the chickens. The flakes feel very heavy & as I gave the horse her evening flake, I started wondering if this is a bad idea to just switch so quickly. Now I'm worried. Should I run out & take it away & give her costal instead?
I'm I feeding too much alfalfa hay too fast?
Southern by choice
Herd Master
I do not have horses so I really am not the best one to answer your question, however in goats an abrupt change can cause issues.
Maybe just pull off a few handfuls and mix it in with your normal hay.
Maybe just pull off a few handfuls and mix it in with your normal hay.
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secuono
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Yes, best to mix slowly.
But I wonder why you give it to the chickens? Mine only nest in it, giving them expensive alfalfa hay would be a massive waste.
But I wonder why you give it to the chickens? Mine only nest in it, giving them expensive alfalfa hay would be a massive waste.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
Our chickens and geese love alfalfa. We often give our geese chopped alfalfa when everything goes dormant here for the winter.
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Thanks. @secuono, Just a Christmas treat. The chickens love picking out the green leaves in the winter. If you protect from the weather, a flake last for a very long time. I use straw or coastal in the nest. It's a rare treat at $18 a bale.
secuono
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Weird, maybe it's because I free range them? IDK or might just be my luck to always get chickens who want to be different than typical, lol.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Yes -- intro any new feed slowly & mix with old.
My chickens like to eat the flakes of alfalfa that drop out from the hay the goats & horses eat. I've taken handful of those dropped leaves from hay storage & put in a pile for them. They like it -- plus -- good nutrition for them.
My chickens like to eat the flakes of alfalfa that drop out from the hay the goats & horses eat. I've taken handful of those dropped leaves from hay storage & put in a pile for them. They like it -- plus -- good nutrition for them.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
Ours are free ranged too... the chickens are typical... they will peck at it , eat it but not like the geese. Geese love it. I think because geese are grass eaters, chickens really aren't ... they like bugs. I would say your chickens are normal. lol
BottleBabbiesrLife
Exploring the pasture
Its fine just watch for bloat
