The Poultry Keeper

aliceb · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:15 pm Post subject: Sunflowers

I know they're not really a crop, but does anyone have any ideas what to do with all of the sunflower heads once they have finished??
My 4 year old daughter and i decided to plant a packet of sunflowers i had found lurking at the back of one of the cupboards, well out of date and thought that only a few would germinate. Next day oh brought me a packet as a pressie (lidls 29p last of the big spenders!), thought hmmm cheap seeds probably won't come to much, better plant the lot. Well anyway six weeks later I now have 125 sunflower plants happily growing in the greenhouse, and my daughter brought one home from nursery as well so that makes 126 in all. They'll look fantastic in the summer, but what to do with all the heads once they're done.

I know that chickens like sunflower seeds but do you have to watch variety or quantity you give them?

Knobby · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject:

Sorry....did i read that right 126 sunflowers !!! Very Happy

aliceb · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject:

yep, you read right, 126, all accounted for, present and correct, why do you want some?

Knobby · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject:

Mmmmm........wouldnt mind....its the watering thats the problem !!

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Unless they are well fed the seeds are likely to be quite small, when they are ready you can just cut the heads off and leave them to dry out, (mind you the squirrels here have normally made off with them well before then Crying or Very sad

)

Then you can hang the heads in the run and give your chucks something fun to do
Laughing

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject:

Yep I would hang the dried heads fo rthe hens and/ or the wild birds.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject:

I have sunflower seeds in a feeder for the wild birds quite close to the ground and the chickens love jumping up and taking the seeds out. Its really funny, and i can watch it for hours!

Knobby · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:13 pm Post subject:

AC.....you REALLY need to get a more demanding job !!!! Very Happy

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject:

No i don't. I like my current job!

gardening, chickens, lotties, a bit at the gym and eating!

Knobby · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject:

Aussie Chick · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:40 pm Post subject:

Remember I am my own boss! i love making money Very Happy

Heather · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

I got this from the omlet newsletter sent to me today - how topical ! A visiting guest to the forum asked about adding Omega 3 to the chickens’ diet…..

“A recent article on radio 4 had an interview with someone who fed her chickens sunflower seed hearts, to add omega 3 to their eggs. Does anyone else do this? and if so, are these something special and where might I get some.”

Answers:

“I give mine sunflower seeds and you can buy big bags from any health food store. Holland and Barrets, GNC etc. You can also buy mixed bags of sunflowers, pumpkins seeds and linseeds. At the moment, I'm just putting some in a plastic bowl for them to peck at. I think some people mix them in with oats and bio yogurt, or just water as a treat in the afternoon.” - Gina

“I started giving linseeds a few weeks ago when I'd read on this forum about the omega 3 benefits. I had no idea what they looked like before even, they're small like sesame seeds. I only sprinkle a few in, just either with their feed or treats, or handfeed just a small amount, and they eat them readily. I give whole sunflower seeds which they love.” - Sheila

“Throwing linseeds into the run could keep ours quiet for hours.” - Lesley