unthreshed rye grain as chicken fodder - Ask Extension
We have a small patch of rye we don't want to thresh. Can we cut it and give the whole stalks with ripe grains to chickens? (Mixed appropriately with ...
Knowledgebase
unthreshed rye grain as chicken fodder #879276
Asked July 29, 2024, 3:12 PM EDT
We have a small patch of rye we don't want to thresh. Can we cut it and give the whole stalks with ripe grains to chickens? (Mixed appropriately with other feed of course)
Thanks
Pend Oreille County Washington
Expert Response
Yes, chickens can eat both the rye plant and grain head. Keep the amount provided to less than 10% of the hens' diets or you may see production losses from the dilution of nutrients (namely protein) in the diet and possible reactions to anti-nutritive substances naturally found in the grain. If they are not mature birds, feeding it as more than 10% of the diet for an extended period of more than a week or two may cause vitamin or trace mineral deficiencies and/or may delay the onset of lay.
