How many of you COOK for your chickens???

[digitS']

I cook whatever table scraps and peelings go to the hens. There are a few reasons for this (to my way of thinking

:

One is that scraps are often another word for leftovers that have sat in the fridge for a few days. I'm going to kill any bacteria that's in there by getting them good and hot.

Another reason for cooking the peelings is that they are probably barely digestible if I don't. Other folks have said how raw carrots in particular just seem to pass right thru their birds. Must be kind of a disturbing mess in the hen yard

.

Another reason is the "disturbing" mess in the hen yard if they just get things like large, coarse vegetables thrown in there. I want them to eat it - not leave it for me to rake out. I certainly don't want it left in there until it rots and then have them eat it!!

I hope this isn't considered "off-topic" because I expressed a little of my reasoning behind my behavior.

Steve

 

[hooligan]

dlhunicorn,
yep, I cooked the barley and I actually forgot I had cooked it and had to rewarm it for the chickens so it was VERY fully cooked. I doubt I will be feeding it again as its not something I ever have on hand...unless I find it on sale

Miss Prissy, you make your own yogurt, that is awesome. I can imagine that it tasted sooo much better than the store stuff. I hadn't really thought of giving my chickens that but I bet it'd be a good idea for sick ones. I know when my dogs are sick I always buy some yogurt for them.

Well right now I am cooking some lentils and I chopped up some cabbage and tossed int here too. My house stinks now. At least its not as bad as it was when I cooked liver treats for the dogs...you don't even want to know how long it took to air out the house!

 

[Scrambled Egg]

I wouldn't give my chickens uncooked anything, infact you aren't even allowed to throw raw rice out at weddings anymore because it swells in the bird's stomach and kills them. I cook pata and sometimes rice, like Priss, and give to them in the mornings when they come down into the yard for the day. They always have a big rubber bowl full of layer mash, black oil sunflower seeds and crushed oyster shell. In addition, I throw out at least two scoops of scratch each day, so, not to worry about the 'candy' ruining their diet, they are little hoovers and eat all they need and want, lol!

 

[fivebigreds]

I cook mine meatloaf ( hamburger, oatmeal , rice, and a little DE sprinkled on when cooked) in a big restaurant pan and portion it out. I also cook them eggs sometimes. No my birds are not spoiled , a little mushey around the edge maybe.

 

[wegotchickens]

I cook raw peelings, any eggs that got cracked, and oatmeal or rice for my peeps. I add crushed eggshells to whatever I cook, so that they get back the calcium. I have also given them meat, if it comes from the grass-fed free-range no-additives places I buy from. They very rarely get meat scraps, though, since the cats have first dibs on those...

They love noodles, but don't get as many of those since the kids usually take care of spaghetti leftovers!

 

[palabeco]

Mine just got a big bowl of oatmeal with mushed bananas.

 

[hooligan]

I just made a oatmeal mix I found on AllRecipes. I haven't tried it yet but it smells pretty tasty

6 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped dried apples or bananas
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT FOR OATMEAL:
3/4 cup water

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

To prepare oatmeal: In a deep microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/2 cup oatmeal mix and 3/4 cup water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Cook 30-60 seconds longer or until bubbly. Let stand 1-2 minutes. Yield: 1 serving per batch.

I didn't have quick oats so I used regular and I had no raisins so I swipped some dried cranberries off the buffet at work (i work at a casino) and I just used a bit of brown sugar. If I ate oatmeal I think this would be tasty.!

I also thought I'd try some dry beans/peas on them so I picked up great northern, red and split peas.
anyone else made beans?​

 

[digitS']

Quote:
I've given the birds UNcooked lentils and split peas but didn't know at the time that they really should be cooked . . . so that doesn't count.

They didn't get very many and I didn't notice any ill effects . . .

That is one special breakfast for the hens, Hooligan!

Steve

 

[V Chic Chick]

On those cold winter mornings, I cook them porridge . . . I gather you don't have it in the US, but it's basically rolled oats mixed with milk or water. I then heat it in the microwave, and they love it!

I also sometimes add food supplements to it, as they will eat all of it, and powdered stuff mixes in really well.

 

[dlhunicorn]

please delete the sugar from your recipe (NOT good for chickens) ....I would not use milk.