A great treat to try for chickens is mealworms. However, it can flavor the eggs. Yes, chickens can eat Cheerios and other breakfast cereals like oats occasionally. For example, if you are raising laying hens, choose a layer feed. Oats also contain some amounts of calcium, which is important for the digestion of acidic foods. As long as the grass and weeds have not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, these are all fine to feed your chickens. Here is a full list to feeding your chickens so you know just what they can (and should not) snap up with their opportunistic little beaks. Warm oatmeal is also not a ‘breakfast’ for chickens. The closest thing you can get to feeding your flock a ‘breakfast’ is by heating up some of their layer feed and offering it to them free-choice. The base flavor, in this case oats, is the same. In summary, the quick energy that oats provide can be beneficial for small periods of time, but they should not be expected to provide energy over long periods of time (for example, overnight). So, what does all of this information mean for the backyard chicken keeper? Keep in mind, that almost every grain a chicken eats has some sort of anti-nutritional factor. Avoid giving it to your chickens, as it can make them sick (and doesn’t add any nutritional value, either). Don’t offer your chickens a cup of Joe. Popcorn can be fed to chickens but make sure it is unbuttered and unsalted to be safe. Can Chickens Eat Rice And Do They Like It? Oatmeal should be fed as a treat, not as a meal. Beta-glucans inhibit the digestion of nutrients. Just make sure you haven’t used anything to treat the exterior of your pumpkin (like if you carved it and used a preservative to keep it looking fresh). Don’t rush out to the pet store to buy mice and snakes to feed your chickens – this isn’t very efficient or cost-effective! It’s because oatmeal can be both beneficial and detrimental to your flock’s health. Since oatmeal is a treat, it should be considered more of a snack for your flock. Uncooked rice can lead to serious digestive problems. ~ Savory Recipes ~ Simple Living ~ Savvy Chickens ~. Yes, baby chickens can eat oatmeal. It also, like many grains, has anti-nutritional factors and some properties that can be harmful. They are the first thing the body metabolizes during the digestion process and they are digested quickly. The fiber and starch in oats slows down the digestive process to some extent. Butter and oil are both too fatty for chickens to digest – and they don’t add a lot of nutritional value, anyway. This acid can inhibit the utilization of some important minerals. Feed Your Chickens….With Just About Anything! Whole oats also contain compounds that are high in anti-oxidants. These components contained within whole oats allow them to provide some great nutritional benefits for your flock. Many people decide to raise chickens because they are versatile little creatures that can eat just about anything. People with H. pylori should limit irritating foods and beverages. It does not spread as easily as grains and other forms of chicken feed. Be careful how you feed your chickens oatmeal. I would say that you could safely offer oatmeal to your flock, at the most, every other week. When I brought Hamlet home, I didn't know a ton about what I could feed her. It can be purchased in either medicated or unmedicated form. You might feed your chickens options such as: As long as you aren’t feeding nuts every day and they haven’t gone rancid, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and all associated products (like peanut butter, as long as there isn’t too much added sugar) offer a great way to supplement your flock with the healthy fats and protein they need. As with citrus fruits, most people say not to feed their chickens onions – but mine have never been fond of them anyway. Chickens love oats, which are an excellent source of vitamins, protein, and antioxidants. Some of our customers say their chickens really enjoy grapes. Oatmeal is one of our girls’ favourite treats and it’s probably their favourite treat … Any kind of fish and shellfish can be fed to your chickens, including raw bits and bones that are leftover when you clean the day’s catch. It is not so great when you look at the nutritional side of things. Rice can be a great snack for your chicken, provided it’s cooked. They can harbor gapeworm, which can make your chickens sick. Can Chickens Eat Apple Cores Yes, chickens can eat apple cores. There is about 16-17 grams of protein in 100 grams of whole oats. However, when feeding your chicken cooked rice, try giving it pilaf mixes. It doesn’t have a ton of nutritional value but it’s still less wasteful than just throwing it out! Now that we have covered the dark side of oatmeal, lets look at some of the benefits of feeding your flock oatmeal! Phytic acid is contained in whole oats as well. Dairy. However, they also contain persin, which can be fatal. Loose, caffeine-free tea leaves are probably okay, though. In this video, my wife walks through the process. However this excludes any fatty foods or foods with lots of salt in. Don’t feed it every day, though, as too much dairy isn’t the best thing in the world for your flock. I have read elsewhere that it is not good to feed moldy food to chickens, and although you do mention to cut mold off on food that is not too moldy, I am concerned about mold spores that have spread throughout the food beyond where the spot(s) lie. Scratch grain is sold by most feed stores as a regular treat for chickens. Also, be mindful of the fact that it is low in nutrients, and should only be fed as an occasional treat. There’s the potential that you could give them a toxic variety that could kill them. Like bread and pasta, cereal is fine to feed, but I would avoid the overly sugary varieties. Oatmeal. Starter and grower feeds. This can be a nice treat on particularly cool mornings. In fact, it’s a great idea to feed your chickens hot bowls of oatmeal on cold winter days – it can warm them up as they digest it! However, the high fiber and resistant starches contained in whole oat’s carbohydrates make them hard for poultry to digest. Pumpkins and Pumpkin Seeds While chickens can eat just about anything, there are a few things they should not be fed – and some foods that they simply don’t like all that much. Oats, both cooked and raw, can be fed to chickens. If your chickens don’t have access to pasture, up their protein intake by … Oatmeal is often used as a warm morning treat during the winter, however, I encourage you to use an alternative treat that would be healthier for your flock to start their day with. Due to the complex nature of poultry nutrition and physiology, I enlisted the assistance of poultry nutritionist, Dr. Patrick Biggs at Purina Animal Nutrition , to explain the problems with an oat meal for chickens. It’s fine to feed any kind of rice to your chickens – but make sure it’s cooked first. The Pioneer Chicks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. You can feed them processed alfalfa cubes, or grow alfalfa for them to graze on. The jury is out on whether asparagus is safe or not for chickens to eat. It too interferes with their calcium absorption which in turn makes for … I didn't find many reputable sources. Check out these 100 foods that you can feed your chickens. They contain vitamins such as choline, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. It sounds a little dark to include chicken on this list, but the reality is that chicken actually provides a good source of nutrients to the flock. K eeping chickens can be a lot more fun when you spoil them with occasional homemade chicken treats. Citrus fruit can interrupt a ducks’ ability to absorb calcium. But of course some of the other ingredients aren't so good for them, so after baking up a batch of my signature Blueberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, I set about creating a healthy version for the chickens. When it's really cold outside, we make oatmeal for our backyard chickens to help them stay warm! In most cases, you’re probably fine to feed maggots, but the problem is that they can be contaminated with botulism. Loaded with omega-3s necessary for the formation of healthy and nutritious eggs, flaxseed is another good food to consider feeding your chickens. I want to briefly elaborate on the fat, protein, and carbohydrates contained within oats because these three components play a big role in healthy winter treats. But some picks aren't so healthy. Oatmeal is packed with good nutrition, can help clear up pasty butt, … As with most natural chicken keeping questions, the answer is not simple. Although these omnivorous birds can eat the vast majority of the foods that we eat, there are some definite foods that chickens shouldn’t eat. Others say that is it harmful and un-necessary. Oats, both cooked and raw, can be fed to chickens. Chickens Will Eat Just About Anything. Oatmeal should be fed as a treat, not as a meal. Chickens can’t digest dairy the way we do, so instead of enjoying a saucer of milk, they … Oats, and thus oatmeal, contain loads of nutrients. Just because you’re eating oatmeal daily for breakfast, doesn’t mean your dog should, too. While you can feed tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers to your heart’s content, don’t feed the plant parts of these to your chickens (that includes leaves, stems, and peels). Both eggs and eggshells can be fed to your chickens. So, when feeding oatmeal, realize that the nutrients contained in the oats is diluted through the addition of water. Garlic is safe for chickens to eat and actually offers a variety of medicinal benefits – it can boost their immune systems, and is a great natural dewormer. Create a sustainable and healthy lifestyle that will allow you to become more self-sufficient. Chickens do not eat ‘breakfast’, instead they munch on their food throughout the day, fueling their digestive system and gaining energy from the trickle of food. This quick source of energy means that the body will not burn them for long periods of time. Thus, oats provide a quick burst of energy rather than a prolonged source of energy. Most chickens are not picky eaters and will be thrilled if you offer them anything on this list. While store-bought mushrooms are fine to feed chickens – and are a great source of nutrients and antioxidants – you should avoid giving them ones that you have foraged for in the wild. While oats may be a healthy breakfast for us, chickens are not people and an oat meal is neither nutritious, nor safe for chickens. ), ✅ Tomatoes (don’t feed the plants – these contain solanine and can be toxic), ✅ Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, ✅ Watermelon (a great option for super hot summer days! This can cause thin-shelled eggs which are not good if you enjoy their eggs. Avoid feeding overly processed and fried foods to your chickens, like hot dogs or French fries. Oat bran contains higher concentrations. If so, you may want to consider feeding your chickens some seaweed. Let’s take a look at why we should use caution when giving our backyard flock oatmeal. Raw oats can help treat pasty butt in baby chicks and warm oatmeal is a nutritious warming treat for your flock in the winter. However, I highly advise you consider other, healthier treats to give your flock during the winter months. The 4 Best Instant Oatmeals (and 5 to Avoid) | Livestrong.com Let's prevent you from giving your pig the wrong and possibly toxic food. They’re opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat practically anything – yes, even their own kind! There are so many healthy foods to feed a chicken, why would you want to feed something like dried foods that can hurt and harm them? Required fields are marked *. A chicken can eat less raw oats than oatmeal and still get the same amount of nutrition. There are many different types of chicken feeds available. Foods to avoid with H. pylori include all spicy or greasy foods, caffeine and alcohol. Alfalfa is another nutrient-rich food you can feed your chickens. Popcorn can be fed to chickens but make sure it is unbuttered and unsalted to be safe. So, why the controversy? That means it should follow the rules pertaining to treats. Grains — Rice, wheat, and other grains are fine for your chickens. However, it is high in calories and low in nutrition, so feed this out in moderation. Warm oatmeal for chickens is a nutritious, energizing snack for them. It's fairly well known these days that chocolate is harmful … we were discussing raising minnows as part of an aquatic/hydroponics system >> special protein supplement diet for the chickens …. At the same time, they provide benefits such as slowing down the digestive process to allow more nutrients to be absorbed as well as providing internal heat (energy) when they are digested. Fruits — Most fruits are fine to feed your chickens. Instant oatmeal is a quick warm breakfast and an easy way to get whole grains. Sunflower seeds, like pumpkin seeds, are also a great source of nutrients for your chickens. Next time your chickens are all cooped up and bored, consider giving one of these recipes a try. Oatmeal. You can try to feed chickens fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes, but be mindful of the fact that they’ll probably leave them be (and if they do eat them, it can cause an off-flavor in the eggs in excess).