Adding whole oats to feed

Lynners · Post by **Lynners** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 1:32 pm

I have a new batch of chicks coming soon. Once they are ready to move onto layer feed, would there be any issue with mixing in whole oats?

A 40 lb bag of layer feed costs me $15.75 or around there. I've found someone selling 40 lb bags of whole oats for $8. I'm hoping that by mixing in some of this cheaper stuff, I'll be able to stretch out how long a bag of expensive layer feed lasts me! I will also offer crushed egg shell free choice, and probably grit, too, even though they'll be free range most of the day.

What do you think?

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 1:59 pm

My chickens like the processed oatmeal oats the best, they will eat the rolled horse oats, but they aren't keen on whole oats.

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 2:30 pm

I thought oats make yolks pale? Could be wrong, but I'm sure someone mentioned that too me before

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 4:43 pm

Yes true if you feed too much- I think it's a question of quantity. There are no carotenes in oats, but I've fed mine quite a bit as scratch and noticed no difference in the egg colour- but they get lots of other stuff.

goatgal35 · Post by **goatgal35** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 5:21 pm

My birds get whole oats, wheat and corn, along with lots of other stuff. The whole grains are cheaper so it does help stretch the feed budget. I find that the seasons and weather dictate which grains the birds eat more of. In winter they want more corn and don't really eat many whole oats.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 6:02 pm

I start adding whole oats to chick starter at 3-4 weeks and continue as top dressing for rest of their lives.
Great pre-biotic, helps keep the "Gut flora" healthy. :)

Epona · Post by **Epona** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 8:51 pm

Can't keep mine out of the oat field when they are still on the stock. And I'm sure that weepy sound I hear when the field is plowed under is the feather gang. So I know they love it and when pigging out on it, I've never noticed any change in eggs.

Post by **WLLady** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:09 pm

Mine wont eat whole oats unless they are in the horse stall or field....its like they are treats if theyre earmarked for someone else lol. Mixed in with food and forget it.
I must have weird chickens.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:37 pm

WLLady wrote:QR_BBPOST Mine wont eat whole oats unless they are in the horse stall or field....its like they are treats if theyre earmarked for someone else lol. Mixed in with food and forget it.
I must have weird chickens.

Interesting, I sprinkle oats on top of feed either morning or noon, they get their scratch the same way, on top of feed in the evening, wonder if they like it because it's a special treat? Perhaps if it was a large portion of their feed if would get left behind.

Post by **WLLady** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:41 pm

Mine are prob spoiled with sunflower seeds. They do eat them if the horse drops them though...lol