Storey's Guide says to add oats...

[Chickens in Elmwood]

After 8 weeks, to slow growth so chickens don't start laying to early, Damerow recommends you mix oats in the feed until you are ready to slowly switch to layer feed.

Here is my silly new chickener questions...what KIND of oats? There are like ten different kinds of oats at the local feed store. Milled? Rolled? Whole? Cut? HELP!!!!

 

[saddina]

I would use cut or rolled, but really the birds are't picky, what's cheapest?

 

[racuda]

Whole oats are the cheapest at around 12 dollars for 50#. They are my choice.

 

[GrannySue]

My girls pick out the whole oats from scratch and leave them for the ducks. (and starlings and crows)