Feeding hot food during winter

[Audrey82]

A friend was suggesting that since we live completely off the grid ( no electricity or running water), that i should make pots of oatmeal or beans and rice and feed them to. My flock while its still hot to help them keep warm.

Is it actually safe to feed them hot food, or should i let it cool down to warm before feeding?


Also, when would be beset to feed them warm / hot food? First thing in the morning, or before they go to roost at night?

 

[Mutt Farm]

Hi Audrey

I'm sure your chickens would love a warm snack on cold winter days. My Pops raised chickens in Michigan in the 1940's and tells stories of them gobbling up warm oatmeal, warm wet cornflakes cereal and things.
Feeding a warm meal will warm them up, but won't do much to "keep them warm".
A dry draft free coop for them to huddle up in, great quality higher protein food to ensure healthy thick feathering to keep their body heat in as their body temp is roughly 104-106 is the best way to keep them warm. Adding additional corn to their diet (scratch, etc) helps them create their own body heat as it takes more kilocalories to digest. Your chickens will surely love a warm meal. You might enjoy searching "winter feeding" or "winterizing your coop" in the search bar. There is so much useful information. Best of luck to you!
Edit t fix typo, much not muck.