[scotelf]

HI, I've only had my hens for a few weeks and gradually finding out what they can and can't/won't eat. Can I give them broccoli? Should it be raw or cooked? Thanks in advance and sorry for my newby questions in the coming weeks and months, of which I am sure there will be many  

Should mention they get layers pellets and corn too!

[Hermit]

Mine get broccolli stalks and leaves, they love them.

[goosepimple]

Mine hated it, cooked or uncooked.  I know you're not supposed to feed them avocados or cucumber (just thought I'd add that).

[james-b]

yes can feed them, quite a few people hang them up inside a run to give hens something interesting, they like pecking the stems but wont eat it all as such

James

[manian]

hi
ours love broccoli  we hang them up on string and theydevour them
Mandie

[Beewyched]

Ours love any greens - gives natural colouring to their yolks too 

[Skirza]

Mine hated it, cooked or uncooked.  I know you're not supposed to feed them avocados or cucumber (just thought I'd add that).

Mine get cucumber, not too often as I believe it can cause diarrhoea, but it's certainly not killed them yet

[Miss Piggy]

Hi, our hens love most things green including broccoli hung up but there real favourite is kale which we grow especially for them as they love it so much and I'm sure must be very good for them. If they escape they make a bee- line for the kale patch. Lettuce is another firm favourite and also gets them running at a dash to me. Any outside leaves or bolted lettuce gets given to them. I think anything green like that breaks the boredom and monotony of daily layers pellets and corn, always fed as an extra though. Good luck with your hens, enjoy them. I have had hens for 15 + years and love my girlie's.

[northfifeduckling]

The only veg I am not sure about are parsnips and beans, I don't know where this caution comes from exactly. Everything else they get. They prefer lettuce to brassicas but do peck at them eventually.

[scotelf]

Thank you, I am just worried in case I give them anything wrong to eat which isn't good for them. One lot ate the broccoli, the other pen didn't. They all like over ripe strawberries though!
It's good to be able to come on hear and ask questions. I have a really nice neighbour who has helped me a lot, but I don't want to bother her all the time with my questions. If they aren't urgent I just save them up until I see her    I've learned a lot by reading the old posts too.
I am really enjoying having my hens, they are all different characters.

[goosepimple]

Get some pics on elf, we all like posts with pics

[scotelf]

Okay, will try some pics after lunch 

[scotelf]

Wendy the wandering Welsummer and her baby Buffs at the beginning of July.


Wendy and the big Buffs now


Two of my new girls


Third of the new girls

[Bright Raven]

Lovely girls! If you want to make a treat with veggie stalks and odd bits you may have (from the allotment  ) you could steam them all or microwave them in a little water (in your garage  ). Blend them up and add some porridge oats to make a yummy mash. I am sure you know about the rules on not feeding food to your animals from your kitchen. Which we all assiduously obey, of course. 

[faith0504]

lovely photos, thank you for posting them