Can my chickens eat this barley? See attached pic

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Hello friendly chicken people I got a bag of barley. I attached a pic. Can I offer to chickens? Right out of bag, or …… ?
Thank you in advance!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The short answer is yes.
Be careful of substituting too much of their regular feed with a single grain or other element. If providing legumes, most need to be heat treated or cooked before feeding to chickens.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

The short answer is yes.
Be careful of substituting too much of their regular feed with a single grain or other element. If providing legumes, most need to be heat treated or cooked before feeding to chickens.

so I should cook them or soak them first? I just want to add a little variety here and there and if its healthy. They have available pellets 24/7. Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No, not necessarily. It is only legumes that need thorough cooking before feeding to poultry (or anyone else), think soybeans, peas, lentils. Raw or dry beans need to be cooked before feeding to poultry. Sprouted lentils are ok.
Grains don't necessarily need the same treatment. Though it doesn't hurt to sprout them.