SEEMS LIKE GREAT ADVICE .... MY HENS ARE LAYING MORE EGGS ... WHAT ABOUT WHOLE OATS

[tomsrunpoultry]

About 12 days ago I posted a thread asking for help with what to feed my chickens. Here is a link to that thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/798954/needing-advice-on-my-feeding-dilemma

I started feeding them Layena which I keep in front of them all the time. I also give them a little scratch in the morning and evening for a treat. It is tossed about in their run. I continue to give them some fresh garden greens to munch on and oyster shell is available all the time. They are now laying an average of 16 eggs a day. The only difference I've noticed is the yolks are a bit lighter. I'm assuming that has to do with the layer mix. Overall, they are looking better nourished as compared to when they were on cracked corn only. In fact, they seem to not care much for the corn that is in the scratch. It is PP brand from TSC. Their combs seem to be brighter and it doesn't appear that they are picking at each other as much. They definitely seem much happier.

A new question...would I be better off feeding them some whole oats as a treat and eliminate the scratch?

 

[Whittni]

I think either is fine. My chickens prefer the scratch because of the choices.

 

[Percheron chick]

The level of carotenoids in the diet is going to effect the color of the egg yolk. Feeds that are high in them are corn, alfalfa, carrots and green leafy vegetables (kale, broccoli, spinach, zuke...) If you want the bright orange color toss your extra zucchini from the garden. If you feed alfalfa to other livestock toss them a handful of leaves and fines.

You can give them anything as scratch. It's just the prize they get for scratching. It can be old cereal, crush crackers, frozen peas.... Some like one grain over others but most like oats (mine don't like milo)