can you give them TOO many oats?

[SheilaTheBrave]

is this possible? They have free range to forage as well as access to their feed at all times. We've been giving them outs when we go out to visit to get them used to us (only had them a week). How much is too much or will they just stop eating them when they dont want anymore?

still learning the ropes here......

 

[alcap]

 

[Chickengal505]

You can feed them as much scratch (Oats) as they want but they still need normal food such as laying mash and grasses, greens, bugs ect. or they might end up like this:

Scratch is like chicken candy, empty calories. So while it might put "meat" on their bones it alone will not supply them with the nutrients they need.

 

[SheilaTheBrave]

haha!

Thanks chickengal505!

 

[Chickengal505]

Your welcome

 

[jmagill]

Quote:
I disagree. They should be filling up on regular feed and oats should be a small portion of their diet. Just like children, if you allow them to chose their diet it will be all sugar and treats.

 

[clayb226]

I do not really know the answer, I have only had chickens about a month, but feed was getting too expensive. So I done some research, and decide to set up two feeders, one with the laying pellets, and one with cracked corn. Supposedly, they will crave what they need to keep their nutrition balanced, and go to the feeder that has what they need. Some have also suggested that one may want to set up a third feeder, with oyster shells or something for calcium. I am going to get another one sometime, and put baked egg shell in it for calcium.

 

[Chickengal505]

Well when I said "as much as they want" I ment in one sitting, My chooks have a Feeder full of pellets and a feeder of scratch. And they eat from both. Honestly I was suggesting that the OP feed the chickens scratch while they free range ect. but she needs to make shure they get their "healthy" food. Uggggg I'm not good at wording things....

 

[SheilaTheBrave]

Got it. All things in moderation. Thanks!!

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
I have one of those $10 Walmart coffee grinders that I run my egg shells through. turns it into a fine powder that the chickens really like.