Feeding grains to Chooks

[Badman]

Follow chook lovers, advice please

I am thinking of mixing up grains for my Chooks for a variation to there usual feed. I have found a local grain seller who stocks wheat, oats, barley, corn, Sorghum... Can get them either in grain form or crushed


Any thoughts of what would be worth mixing together and should I get them crushed or give as whole grains


Thanks in advance
Cheers

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I would get whole grains and sprout them. All seeds have some anti-digestive and antinutritive compounds in them. Cooking or sprouting breaks those down. Sprouting also boosts the vitamin content.

http://thescienceofnutritiondotnet....-the-phytate-reducing-anti-nutrients-in-food/

http://www.healthbeyondhype.com/the...hole-grains-beans-nuts-and-seeds-ezp-138.html

Keep in mind that chicken chow is formulated to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids and energy levels that chickens need. Mixing in other things can mess up that balanced nutrition.

 

[Badman]

G'day ChickenCanoe,

Thank you for your response, it is a much appreciated eye opener both for my Chooks and myself!
I had a good read of the links you sent me and will put some of this into practice with soaking the grains as well as sprouting.
I am thinking of framing up a section in the centre of the coop with mesh over the top so I can spread grain in there and let it grow until the Chooks can start eating it through the mesh and I will give soaking a try also.

Thanks again

 

[ChickenCanoe]

G'day Badman.

I do the same thing in one of my coops but I find other more succulent things are better to grow in those mesh covered areas. Things like alfalfa, turnips, beets, field peas and buckwheat work well.

The sprouted grain when topped by the chicken may give up. Some of those other things will keep putting forth.