The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Rokx on January 18, 2013, 08:20:11 am

Title: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: Rokx on January 18, 2013, 08:20:11 am

Hello  :wave:

I have been feeding my horses & sheep sugar beet (dried not fresh) soaked with warm water to help keep them warm in the cold weather.  I was just wondering if the chickens can have some too and if a little bit as a treat before bed would be good for them?

Thanks in advance  :)

Title: Re: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 19, 2013, 02:05:50 pm

In cold weather I throw a handful of scratch feed (milled maize and wheat) into the coops an hour before dusk.  This gives the poultry a full gizzard to begin the night (still 14 hours until it's daylight again) and makes them scratch up the bedding and stops it getting compressed and claggy.  I personally wouldn't give sugar beet.

Title: Re: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: Anke on January 19, 2013, 06:08:56 pm

Well mine get the leftovers from the goats, usually just a handful of quite soggy stuff, including sugar beet shreds, and it usually disappears....

Title: Re: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 20, 2013, 09:59:10 am

Mine have been picking up beet crumbs and scraps from the goats for years with no problems

Title: Re: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on January 20, 2013, 11:34:52 am

I think other grain would be more normal but if soaked properly the pellet type would prob be ok, wouldnt feed shreds tho and i wouldnt feed it myself.

Title: Re: Can chickens eat sugar beet?
Post by: Pedwardine on January 21, 2013, 03:03:35 pm

Mine LOVE beet. I just split in half and they peck it out.