I mix my own scratch using Race Horse oats and it is probably 40-50% of my chickens diets. They start getting this scratch at 8-10 weeks old. At 4 weeks old I mix them their own scratch using rolled oats or steel cut oats or oat groats. For the young chicks' scratch I do a coarse grind in my grain mill.
I mix my own scratch because I am wheat intolerant and try to reduce my chickens wheat intake, (they eat less wheat based feed that way). I did notice increased egg production when I started mixing my own scratch. I have never had an egg production problem.
So yes, oats are good for chickens, in any form. I've been known to make up extra cooked oatmeal in the colder months so the chickens can have some goodies for breakfast. Like others have said, that's good too. Its a good base for other goodies (leftovers) from the frig along with some special seeds (flax, sesame, amaranth, etc.).
Have fun coming up with things to give your chickens for treats (leftovers) and favors (dairy products, seeds, fish or meat trimings).
I mix my own scratch because I am wheat intolerant and try to reduce my chickens wheat intake, (they eat less wheat based feed that way). I did notice increased egg production when I started mixing my own scratch. I have never had an egg production problem.
So yes, oats are good for chickens, in any form. I've been known to make up extra cooked oatmeal in the colder months so the chickens can have some goodies for breakfast. Like others have said, that's good too. Its a good base for other goodies (leftovers) from the frig along with some special seeds (flax, sesame, amaranth, etc.).
Have fun coming up with things to give your chickens for treats (leftovers) and favors (dairy products, seeds, fish or meat trimings).
