Oats are a genuinely wholesome treat, and a bowl of warm porridge on a frosty morning is one of the nicest things you can offer a backyard flock. They are simple, nutritious and easy to serve, with only a couple of small things to watch out for. Let us look at how to get the most out of them.
Can chickens eat oatmeal?
Yes, chickens can eat oats, and they are one of the better treats you can give. Plain porridge oats work either dry, straight from the packet, or cooked into a warm porridge. Both are fine, and hens tend to be very keen on them either way. Oats bring useful fibre along with a bit of protein, which makes them a real step up from empty snacks such as bread or plain crackers.
Like any treat, though, oats should complement a complete feed rather than replace it, so they are a top-up and not a main course. For the full picture of a balanced diet, see what chickens should eat, and pair oats with a mix of other healthy scraps across the week for variety.
Warm porridge for cold mornings
Warm porridge really comes into its own in winter. On a cold morning, a bowl of plain porridge made with water gives the flock a comforting, warming start to the day, and watching a group of hens dive into a shared bowl is one of the small pleasures of keeping chickens. Let it cool from piping hot down to just warm before you serve it, so no one burns a beak in their enthusiasm.
There is no need to add milk, sugar, honey or anything else. Chickens do not digest dairy well, and they certainly do not need the sugar, so plain porridge made with water is exactly right. Simple as it is, it feels like a proper treat to a cold flock.
Dry oats and other ways to serve them
Porridge is not the only option. Dry porridge oats can be scattered on the ground for the hens to forage, which keeps them busy scratching about, or sprinkled over their usual feed as a little bonus. You can also stir dry oats through other treats to bulk them out. Rolled oats and plain porridge oats both work; there is no need for anything fancy.
Whichever way you serve them, the point is that oats are one of the more nourishing treats around, so they are a good one to keep in the cupboard. Just remember that treats of all kinds should stay a modest share of the diet, with layer feed doing the main job.
What to avoid and how much
Oats are easy to get right, but a couple of things are worth steering clear of. The main one is flavoured instant oat sachets, which are often loaded with sugar and additives your flock does not need.
- Use plain porridge oats, dry or cooked with water only.
- Avoid sugary, flavoured instant oat sachets.
- Do not overdo it, as oats are a treat rather than a replacement for layer feed.
- Let warm porridge cool to just warm before serving, and clear away leftovers before they spoil.