It can be very expensive to feed chickens! Growing some feed or treats for chickens often allows chicken keepers to reduce their feed costs. You can grow sunflowers easily in any yard or garden, and they make a great chicken treat.
You can grow several varieties of sunflowers for your chickens.
There are obviously more sunflower seeds in the larger sunflowers. These sunflowers produce larger seeds as well. There are about 1000-2000 seeds in each sunflower head!
The seeds of smaller ornamental varieties aren't as plentiful, but they're still edible. Most sunflower varieties are grown more for their flowers than for their seeds. Therefore, you may have to experiment with a few varieties and find one that will produce the most seeds.
Many ornamental varieties can be grown in flower gardens or even in containers. The great thing about this is that you can find a sunflower to fit any garden spot, no matter how big or small! It will still provide your chickens with feed even if it is an ornamental variety. The more feed you can grow, the cheaper your feed bill will be!
A sunny spot and some water are all that is needed to grow sunflowers. You may want to start seeds indoors, depending on your growing season.
Wait until your soil has reached at least 55°F before direct sowing.
Sowing instructions can be found on the seed packet. When there is no information, plant seeds about an inch deep in compost-amended soil. The soil should remain moist during the germination process. A sunny location with well-draining soil is ideal for sunflowers. You may also need to check the seed packets for exact spacing, but generally speaking, the larger the sunflower the further apart they should be spaced.
Dwarf sunflowers can be planted as close as 6" apart, and mammoth sunflowers about 2 feet apart. Mulch well to maintain moisture in the soil. If a sudden frost pops up, cover the seedlings.
Compared to other flowers, sunflowers require more water. You should water them at least once a week. If the soil is dry, you should water them more often. Sunflowers turn their flower buds toward the sun when it moves across the sky as they grow. The process is called heliotropism.
When the flower matures, its position will be fixed. Initially, the plant stalks will be green, but once the flower starts to produce seeds, they will turn yellow.
Upon reaching maturity, the sunflower's head will begin to droop and dry out. When it is time to harvest the flower heads, the stalks will turn brown. Now you'll have to race the wild birds for the seeds. You can tie a mesh bag around the flower to prevent birds from eating all the seeds.
Wait for the seeds to dry out thoroughly so that they pop out with very little pressure before you remove them. Gently rub your fingers over the seeds to release them. Collect the seeds as they fall by doing this over a bucket or large sheet.
If you're storing seeds long-term, dry them completely before storing. You can do this by leaving them out for a few days in a dry room, or you can dehydrate them on low for a few hours. Then store seeds in a dry, cool place once they have completely dried out.
Giving the chickens the entire seed head and letting them pick out the seeds themselves is the simplest way to do this. This is a great idea when the weather prevents the chickens from going out in winter. They will be occupied for a while since they have to work a little to get to the treat. If you want to make it a bit more challenging, you can thread a ribbon through the center of the seed head.
However, the seeds do not dry out as quickly if you don't pull them out. Keep an eye on them frequently to ensure they don't mold. Also, keep an eye on the area where the stem attaches because that will take the longest to dry out.
Use sunflower seeds to make your own flock block or to feed them to your chickens by themselves. It doesn't matter which way you go, your hens will love their sunflower seeds, and you won't have to buy them at the feed store!
You can grow several varieties of sunflowers for your chickens.
There are obviously more sunflower seeds in the larger sunflowers. These sunflowers produce larger seeds as well. There are about 1000-2000 seeds in each sunflower head!
The seeds of smaller ornamental varieties aren't as plentiful, but they're still edible. Most sunflower varieties are grown more for their flowers than for their seeds. Therefore, you may have to experiment with a few varieties and find one that will produce the most seeds.
Many ornamental varieties can be grown in flower gardens or even in containers. The great thing about this is that you can find a sunflower to fit any garden spot, no matter how big or small! It will still provide your chickens with feed even if it is an ornamental variety. The more feed you can grow, the cheaper your feed bill will be!
Growing sunflowers
A sunny spot and some water are all that is needed to grow sunflowers. You may want to start seeds indoors, depending on your growing season.
Wait until your soil has reached at least 55°F before direct sowing.
Sowing instructions can be found on the seed packet. When there is no information, plant seeds about an inch deep in compost-amended soil. The soil should remain moist during the germination process. A sunny location with well-draining soil is ideal for sunflowers. You may also need to check the seed packets for exact spacing, but generally speaking, the larger the sunflower the further apart they should be spaced.
Dwarf sunflowers can be planted as close as 6" apart, and mammoth sunflowers about 2 feet apart. Mulch well to maintain moisture in the soil. If a sudden frost pops up, cover the seedlings.
Compared to other flowers, sunflowers require more water. You should water them at least once a week. If the soil is dry, you should water them more often. Sunflowers turn their flower buds toward the sun when it moves across the sky as they grow. The process is called heliotropism.
When the flower matures, its position will be fixed. Initially, the plant stalks will be green, but once the flower starts to produce seeds, they will turn yellow.
Harvesting sunflower seeds for chickens
Upon reaching maturity, the sunflower's head will begin to droop and dry out. When it is time to harvest the flower heads, the stalks will turn brown. Now you'll have to race the wild birds for the seeds. You can tie a mesh bag around the flower to prevent birds from eating all the seeds.
Wait for the seeds to dry out thoroughly so that they pop out with very little pressure before you remove them. Gently rub your fingers over the seeds to release them. Collect the seeds as they fall by doing this over a bucket or large sheet.
If you're storing seeds long-term, dry them completely before storing. You can do this by leaving them out for a few days in a dry room, or you can dehydrate them on low for a few hours. Then store seeds in a dry, cool place once they have completely dried out.
Feeding sunflower seeds to chickens
Sunflower seeds can be fed to chickens in two ways. The seeds from the seed heads either can be harvested and fed to the chickens, or the chickens can peck the seeds out themselves.Giving the chickens the entire seed head and letting them pick out the seeds themselves is the simplest way to do this. This is a great idea when the weather prevents the chickens from going out in winter. They will be occupied for a while since they have to work a little to get to the treat. If you want to make it a bit more challenging, you can thread a ribbon through the center of the seed head.
However, the seeds do not dry out as quickly if you don't pull them out. Keep an eye on them frequently to ensure they don't mold. Also, keep an eye on the area where the stem attaches because that will take the longest to dry out.
Use sunflower seeds to make your own flock block or to feed them to your chickens by themselves. It doesn't matter which way you go, your hens will love their sunflower seeds, and you won't have to buy them at the feed store!
but I had no idea, how much I didn't know about them. Great information!