Breakfast?

[Bella Bruce]

Hi everyone, my husband thinks I'm off my rocker.......here's why

Girls are in bed now for 13+ hrs due to nights drawing in. They go to bed with full crops having had a light corn supper to top them up for the night. 14 of my 23 girls are rescue, and still a bit featherless, so now the temperature is dropping, 3C last night, I'm greeting them in the morning with oats in hot water, they absolutely love it, am I mad? Or is this good husbandry?
Just one person agreeing with me is all the validation I need

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I used to feed oatmeal to my birds. They love it, but it will lower their protein intake. I tried feeding rolled oats dry 2 years ago, because they seemed to love them, but I ended up with some birds not eating and eventually dying.

I than read the oats can cause a sludge like plug in the digestive tract. I took oats out of my feeding since than. Regular oats are fine, but rolled oats that are used to make oatmeal are what I refuse to use anymore.

Your hens wil be just as happy if you feed them some moistened ration. Definitely make up your own mind on oatmeal. Many swear by it.

In colder temperatures any wet feed can cause frostbite due to the moisture coming off it, so be aware of that as well.

I used to think oatmeal was the best winter treat, but I have since changed my mind on it personally.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It isn't deadly but if they are featherless, I'd go for much more protein than they will get from corn or oatmeal Chickens are omnivores and when they need to grow feathers, animal protein will help. There is no vegetative source of protein that has all the essential amino acids chickens need. That's why synthetic lysine and methionine need to be added to most vegetarian feeds.
Just a complete poultry feed around 18% protein will serve their overall health much better than corn or oatmeal. Those grains range from 8-12% protein. Way too low to benefit your birds nutritionally.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You sound like a very caring chicken mama

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Agree on the comment about you being a good caretaker of your flock, and that something warm with some extra protein may be a good choice.

 

[Acre4Me]

Kids absolutely love candy and cake, but we know that they need certain nutrition, so we feed them appropriate foods. Since these are rescues, and needing to get better and recover from wherever they were, I’d also encourage taking your pampering in a different direction that includes a higher protein content.
My flock goes bonkers for wet chicken feed. In the winter I mix it with hot water! I sometimes add alfalfa pellets (sold for horses) bc they are 16% protein min. I’ll sprinkle some birdseed on top, maybe add a few berries or cut up grapes, or a few nut bits as a treat.