Oats for laying?

[love2grinchicke]

My family moved about 3 months ago, and since then, the chickens haven't been laying. I think that the cold might be an issue, and I saw in the "Backyard Poultry" magazine that feeding them oats might help? How would I do that, and will it actually help the laying?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Did the magazine explain how it would help? Sounds like nonsense to me.

The move was stressful and stopped ovulation. Then, continuously shorter days have prevented the hormones that start up ovulation.

Optimal nutrition along with longer days will kickstart laying. Oats, while not a bad option for scratch grains, especially in summer won't provide anything nutritionally that would stimulate ovulation.

And, by the way, cold should have nothing to do with it either unless it's -20 F.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/450/several-reasons-why-your-hens-may-stop-laying-eggs

 

[pdirt]

My family moved about 3 months ago, and since then, the chickens haven't been laying. I think that the cold might be an issue, and I saw in the "Backyard Poultry" magazine that feeding them oats might help? How would I do that, and will it actually help the laying?

x2 what CC said. Stress+less light = few to no eggs

What kind of bird is that in your avatar photo?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hope the OP chimes in but my guess is a white capped black polish pullet.

As for the oats = eggs thing, that's why I take everything I read in "Backyard Poultry" and similar mags with a grain of salt. The few issues I've read have had a couple clearly untrue statements.

Further, each bit of advice may very well be true for the author's experience and climate but may not be the best advice for someone in a different climate or situation.
Oats notwithstanding.

 

[jennianne]

I did not see the article you are referring to, but I recently started sprouting for my girls and in my research have come across this information, too. Usually it comes from old timers/books, the idea that oats helps with laying. I have also read some posts here at BYC that mention this this. Here is an example: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/425134/anybody-raise-sprouts-to-feed-the-chickens/700
If you look through the whole (loooong) thread, there are several places there that talks about the oats specifically. Not sure if that's what you were looking for, but thought I would post this info just in case.

 

[Michael Apple]

Did the magazine explain how it would help? Sounds like nonsense to me.

The move was stressful and stopped ovulation. Then, continuously shorter days have prevented the hormones that start up ovulation.

Optimal nutrition along with longer days will kickstart laying. Oats, while not a bad option for scratch grains, especially in summer won't provide anything nutritionally that would stimulate ovulation.

And, by the way, cold should have nothing to do with it either unless it's -20 F.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/450/several-reasons-why-your-hens-may-stop-laying-eggs

Oats are a good source of vegetable protein (9-11%) compared to some others. The thicker the oat, the more it retains nutritive value. Oats with hulls have been used in trials from Iowa to Germany and Australia were found to be more desirable than wheat, helped improve feathering in young birds, and reduced cannibalism. A higher fiber content showed it was desirable as one third of a scratch grain. I use crimped oats as an addition for treats or mixed with scratch grains, but don't believe it will somehow start a hen laying like you said, lol. That is determined by length of day for sure. One of the reasons I avoid that magazine is due to the nonsense articles that often appeared in it.