[bygrace]

Are greens considered a treat, or are they essential? Do chooks need their 5 a day just as we do? Or do layers pellets contain everything thery need nutritionally.
My girls are in a fixed run for half the day or all day if I'm out (it's a security thing) and have turned it to bare earth, so should I be giving them greens as there's no grass?
Thanks. BG

[helens-hens]

I would say a bit of both! The layers pellets should contain all the nutrients they need but when they are free ranging they do supplement their diet by eating grass and other green things.

If they are confined to a run then I think it is good to hang up a cabbage or similar as entertainment to keep them occupied.

[funkychook]

Are greens considered a treat, or are they essential? Do chooks need their 5 a day just as we do? Or do layers pellets contain everything thery need nutritionally.
My girls are in a fixed run for half the day or all day if I'm out (it's a security thing) and have turned it to bare earth, so should I be giving them greens as there's no grass?
Thanks. BG

I was told its important they have greens in their diet as when the free range they do eat lots of green things including your plants lol.

Before I let mine out i would get some grass, dandelion and nettles and put it in the run for them. They would go mad for it, especially the grass.

Yep a cabbage hanging is useful too. I grow parsley and they love that I mean really love it lol...very discerning my birds....

I tried hanging broccoli no good they didnt touch it.

Watercress tied and hanging they love too.

I chop up apples, and some fruit once a week. Was told not too much fruit as it makes then have loose stools.

So yes I suppose they can have their 5 a day lol...grass is free anyway and mine love it.

[Lindeggs]

In theory layers feed has everything they need nutritionally, and they can certainly live off nothing but the pellets or mash.

But my girls free-range on grass and have access to lots of different weeds.  And gosh they eat a lot of greens!  If I confine them for even half a day, as soon as they are let out they run for the grass and pick, pick, pick it.  (Sometimes I think they're more like sheep than chickens.  )

So if I had to keep mine confined for any length of time I would provide as much greenery as i could, as that seems to be something they crave in their diet.

By the way, funkychook, mine have parsley growing in their run and they won't touch it!  I wonder why yours like parsley and mine don't?

[Sassy]

By the way, funkychook, mine have parsley growing in their run and they won't touch it!  I wonder why yours like parsley and mine don't?

My Katie Thear book - which I would recommend - says they love parsley, but mine won't eat it either! They also won't touch lettuce! Kept too well fussy so and so's. Maybe because they free range their needs from these foods are satisfied?

[Helenaj]

By the way, funkychook, mine have parsley growing in their run and they won't touch it!  I wonder why yours like parsley and mine don't?

It's probably because Parsley eaten in bulk is toxic (to everyone, and by "bulk" I mean loads and loads). Small amounts are okay, but maybe your girls just don't want to risk it!

[Lindeggs]

By the way, funkychook, mine have parsley growing in their run and they won't touch it!  I wonder why yours like parsley and mine don't?

It's probably because Parsley eaten in bulk is toxic (to everyone, and by "bulk" I mean loads and loads). Small amounts are okay, but maybe your girls just don't want to risk it!

I think my chickens must be geniuses 

[joyfull]

dark leafy greens help with the absorbtion of calcium I think 

[Beano]

Does anybody's chickens like sprouts? Mine don't.

[Lewjam]

mine eat them cooked - but wont toutch them raw!

[JaK]

Does anybody's chickens like sprouts? Mine don't.

Mine do but only if there are no other goodies on offer at the same time.

[Sassy]

Does anybody's chickens like sprouts? Mine don't.

Mine do but only if there are no other goodies on offer at the same time.

I know the the feeling. Yuk