do chickens have to eat ROLLED oats or can they eat whole?

[cjeanean]

Just wondering. I'm looking to mix some oats into their food to stretch it a little bit, and I'm wondering if they can eat the whole oats or if they need them rolled for digestive purposes. Thanks!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

My chickens eat whole oats, when I give it to them. It is expensive now, $7.00 per 50# bag.

 

[funonahonda]

Where would you get a #50pound of oats at?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

There is this place down the road that sells all types of feed and hay and straw. They make it and bag it right there. They sell lay mash, cracked and whole corn, oats, wheat, soybeans, and a bunch more stuff.

 

[fivebigreds]

Quote:
I live in Tennessee and feed oats are $11.00 a #50 .

 

[pasofinofarm]

Feed oats here in Texas $10.25/50#. But can be gotten at any feed store...

 

[SusanJoM]

Whoa, I just bought a 50# sack of whole oats for $12.95....at the feed store.

That's only a dollar less than "real" chicken feed....

What was I thinking????

Well, in fact, I'm going to try to sow some of it in half of the run while confining them to the other half and see if I can get just a small but of forage for them....

Who knows if it will work or not...

Susan

 

[S0rcy]

It will work very well. I have sown wheat/oats/barley in the chickens run, its sprouting nicely. Wait till it's about 2 to 8 inches or even till it starts branching (tillering) and the chickens will have a good feed off it

Quote:

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

i guess $7.00 per 50# bag isnt that much.

 

[SusanJoM]

Quote:
Excellent. I'm gonna go out today and rake, sow and water....
About how long does it take to germinate and get to that 2-8 inch stage?

Susan