Does anyone feed oats?

[Organics North]

Quote:
What fermentation? Are you sprouting? or is that just something with race horse oats?

Our mix is 20% oats. They get some dry ground but most have been soaked and sprouted. The birds enjoy sprouted grains indeed.

ON

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Quote:
What fermentation? Are you sprouting? or is that just something with race horse oats?

Our mix is 20% oats. They get some dry ground but most have been soaked and sprouted. The birds enjoy sprouted grains indeed.

ON

I just put them in a food grade plastic barrel and put in enough water to cover the oats. They will start to sour in 3 to 4 days. The more sour the better. Make sure that the oats stay covered in water to prevent them from molding. When I close the lid, I tighten it up and then back off just a hair to allow the barrel to breath. Just a warning...they do stink! I put vapor rub under my nose and long rubber gloves on before opening the barrel to scoop some out. I also stir them daily. I put about 2wks worth at a time into the barrel. The birds go nuts for them and will fill up on them if you're not careful. I usually let them out in the morning to eat some of their regular feed before giving them the oats. As soon as they see me heading for the barrel, they start hollering.

 

[Organics North]

Interesting... Fermented oats. I will have to read up on that one.
I know the smell you mean.. I rinse my sprouts twice a day, and even then they can have a strong odor...

ON

 

[chicknduck]

I am going to have to tr givng mine oats.

 

[bgelber]

I give our girls feed oats from the local co-op and they love it.

 

[EweSheep]

Great summer feed, better than corn LOL!

 

[Rennie]

Ive just started giving mine "sour oats" I couldn't believe how much they love it, It was suggested on here that it promotes feather growth and helps the shine, My ex battery hens have definitely benefited from it imo

 

[Tropical Chickies]

Quote:
I guess I will try the sour oats thing too! I just bought a black copper marans who looks like she just came home from war...she only has three tail feathers and my husband said she looks like a turkey. I also just purchased some aviacharge 2000, which is supposed to help with feather re-growth and should stop pecking. A few of my girls have missing feathers which I am surprised at since they have a large coop and run. Lots of room...why can't they leave each other alone...girls being catty I guess!!

 

[Chris09]

Here is some on oats --

Oats —

This cereal is generally regarded as a perfect
poultry food in all countries where it is grown to "perfection".
Its value, however, depends upon the quality
of the grain and the percentage of kernel to husk. The
ration of fats and starches to the protein content make
the oat what is called a " balanced " food. Oats have
a much higher fat content than wheat, rye, or barley,
and compared with these is lower in starches, sugar, etc.
(carbohydrates). It has a good protein content, and
is therefore a good flesh former and egg producer. The
ash content, although better than that of wheat, rye,
or barley, is still low, and must be balanced with green
fodders. The oat kernel is enveloped in a tough, fibrous
coat which is indigestible. Some poor samples are
absolutely bad for fowls, and may cause crop impaction.
The variety known as the " skinless " oat has a base grain like wheat but as a rule very small.
It makes an admirable food for poultry, but is not generally grown
on account of the habit of the grain in shaking out. When
the experimentalist brings out an improved variety it
will be one of the best of poultry foods.
Sometimes when the ordinary oat is harvested over ripe, the grains shake out these
" shelled " oats are excellent for poultry and growing chickens ; they can
often be purchased at oat-milling factories.
Hulled oats are ordinary oats which have had the
husk and germ removed by milling they are then made
into rolled oats, oatmeal or other modem oat products.
Hulled bats are generally expensive, but are none the
less most valuable for poultry, and, unlike whole oats,
they are all food. Their defect, however, is in the lack
of the germ and its valuable nucleic acid content.
Oats vary in many ways, and there are numerous
varieties and sub-varieties, some more suitable for poultry
than others. A very stout milling oat with fine husk
is to be desired. Ground very finely oats may be largely used in
compounding the morning mash, especially for growing
stock; the oat is a good muscle former, and with skim
milk builds up a fine frame.

For fattening chickens and ducklings --
7 parts finely ground oats and 1 part barley meal mixed with milk.

For higher egg production
wheat is better, but by all means use a good
proportion of oats in some form.

Chris

 

[slc]

We feed rolled oat and flaxseed mash sometimes with plain yogurt or whey. Great way to get extra omega 3 into the eggs.