Warm treats for hens in winter?

[Cluck17]

Hi all I think I will feed my chickens warmish treats to keep them warm in the winter. Any ideas? Also any treats that keep them warm would be great. Thank you!

 

[Coop Z-ville]

I have been giving my girls warm oatmeal on these cold mornings, and they love it. I heat it up (I cook up a big batch ahead of time), add hot water and their regular chicken food (I use Scratch and Peck layer) until it's a good consistency, and top with warm grapes cut up and a few mealworms. Yum!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I give oatmeal. They love it. I put cinnamon and berries on top so it isn’t super bland to them

 

[DobieLover]

As others have suggested, oatmeal is a great treat. I ferment my feed and on cold mornings I will zap it in the microwave for a minute or so. They absolutely love that.
Just adding hot water to their regular ration to make a warm mash will work.
People also suggest a handful of cracked corn tossed to them in the evening prior to roosting will help them generate extra body heat during the night as they digest the starch in the corn.

 

[Coop Z-ville]

I, too add warm water to their regular feed for another warm treat later in the day. I haven't tried fermenting yet. The feed I use has lots of "fines" in it with a majority of the vitamins and minerals, so I feel this makes it easier for them to get a more complete package of nutrients. I have added some scratch with corn since cold weather has hit. I still can't believe they prefer being outside all day when the weather has been so windy, cold, and rainy. I'm glad they have a roof over their run and that their coop is in a protected spot! (This is my first winter with chickens)

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I hard boil eggs and make scrambled eggs with the shells and all. My flock loves it and the extra protein and calcium is a plus!

 

[fldiver97]

Oatmeal, warmed up with ‘whatever’..... sometimes raisins or berries, chopped fruit or veggies. Sometimes just plain. Scrambled eggs. They seem to like my butternut squash soup too make a warm mash out of chicken their feed. Warmed up chopped veggies. Cooked polenta, grits, quinoa are always popular. Mine always have a flock block to keep them busy during winter days where they choose not to leave the coop/run

 

[Coop Z-ville]

After reading this article: https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-shocking-effect-of-oatmeal/ I have stopped giving oatmeal as a warm treat on cold morning. In fact, I have stopped giving any warm treats. I will stick with what chicken nutritionists say is best for my girls!

 

[Kristi66]

I just see one man’s opinion. Where are the resources that support his opinion? Scientific evidence based peer reviewed articles and studies? I have raised laying hens for over 45 years and feed warm mash with oats, crumble, along with berries, pumpkin, and other nutrients. Our hens are not pets they have a job. They still eat the same amount of grain each day with no change in poop. They lay eggs all winter long. Each hen typically lays for up to 3 years on our homestead before becoming a stew hen. We have never had a problem in 45+ years.

 

[Jodiwan]

Theres a lot of sources on Google that say its good to feed chickens cracked corn in winter. Sources on Google say that cracked corn helps them stay warm, because their bodies
Work to process the corn and helps the body generate heat.
So I'll keep feeding cracked corn along with some fermented scratch grains. This wont be the main source of food as I keep
Feeders in my coop with layer pellets.
Have a great day!