Well, let me tell you about the time I tried to give my chickens some leftover granola from my breakfast.
As someone who loves both chickens and granola, I figured – why not combine my two passions?
So there I was, happily strolling out to the coop with a heaping bowl of oats and honey granola, so excited to share this tasty treat with my feathery ladies.
Now I know what you’re thinking, giving granola to chickens sounds crazy.
But hear me out, as both a seasoned chicken owner and granola connoisseur, I had an inkling they would enjoy…
I opened up the coop door and proudly announced “Breakfast is served!” as I set the bowl down in front of them.
The chickens crowded around curiously, tilting their heads from side to side analyzing this new substance in their domain.
My silver laced wyandotte Clara was the first to approach. She gingerly pecked at a large sticky cluster of oats held together by a generous drizzle of honey.
Her eyes lit up as she snagged the morsel and gave it a crunch.
The sweet honey mingling with the hearty oats was clearly a hit! Clara gobbled it down and looked up expectantly for more.
Taking this as a good sign, I stepped back and let the buffet commence.
Turns out – yes, chickens absolutely can and do thoroughly enjoy oats and honey granola! Not only is it safe for them to eat, but it provides good nutrients from the oats and they find it quite tasty thanks to the subtle sweetness from the honey.
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The Nutritional Benefits
Oats and honey granola offers some great nutritional value for chickens:
- Oats provide 10-15% high-quality protein for growth and egg production. The protein comes in the form of avenins which are easily absorbed by chickens.
- The complex carbohydrates in oats give them sustained energy. The carbs are bound in fiber which also helps support healthy digestion.
- Honey contains antioxidants like pinobanksin and chrysin which boost immunity and fight inflammation.
- The combo of fiber from oats, natural sugars from honey, fats from nuts/seeds create a satisfying, energy-packed treat.
In addition to plain oats and honey, some granola mixes contain extras like nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon and coconut flakes.
These provide supplemental protein, vitamins and flavor chickens crave.
My barred rock Henrik couldn’t get enough of the toasted pecans! And when Matilda my silver-laced Wyandotte stumbled upon some dried cranberries, you’d have thought she discovered hidden treasure.
So despite it not being a normal chicken snack, turns out granola delivers a lot of the nutrients backyard hens need to stay healthy – probably more than I initially realized!
Some Tips for Feeding Granola
When sharing oats and honey granola with your flock, keep these tips in mind:
- Give no more than 2-3 tablespoons per standard size chicken as an occasional treat 1-2 times a week
- Look for plain granola recipes with basic real ingredients, not overly processed candied mixes overloaded with sugar or artificial flavors
- Crumble it into bite-size pieces or chop up any large clumps so it’s easier for them to peck at
- Start with small amounts – say 1 tablespoon per bird – then gauge their interest before serving more; less is more just to be safe
- Ensure they always have unlimited access to their regular feed and treats like granola should not replace healthy staples long-term
Following those guidelines will allow your chickens to safely enjoy granola as a yummy, nutrient-packed supplementary snack without overdoing it!
Different Types of Granola for Chickens
When it comes to finding or making granola to share with your flock, you have options!
Be aware that not all store-bought mixes may be suitable if they contain excessive sugar, unhealthy fats or artificial flavors.
Read labels closely. But in general these are some common varieties that hens tend to like:
- Regular oatmeal granola tends to be one of the healthier options, with just oats, honey, almond slivers, etc.
- Yogurt or vanilla granola offers a nice creamy hint – just make sure it’s not overloaded with added sugars
- Fruit and nut blends provide supplemental vitamins and minerals from all the extras
- Coconut granola supplies additional healthy fats and flavor
- Chocolate chunks or drizzle may satisfy chickens craving something sweet
When preparing your own granola, you can easily customize it to your hens’ preferences.
Clara goes crazy pecking out pecans while Matilda is still obsessed with dried cranberries. Get creative with add-in mix-ins!
How to Make Chicken-Friendly Granola
Whipping up homemade granola tailored specifically for your flock is simple. Here is an easy oats and honey recipe:
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mixed add-ins like raisins, nuts, coconut, etc.
Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a bowl. Spread onto a baking sheet in a thin layer.
Bake for 45 mins, stirring every 15 mins. Remove and let cool completely before crumbling up to serve to your chickens. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.
Easy to make and even easier for chickens to devour!
Setting up a DIY Treat Dispenser
To serve granola to your flock, a great option is a DIY treat dispenser made from simple household items:
- 1 empty plastic bottle or container, cleaned out
- Scissors or craft knife
- String
- Dowel rod or stick
Start by cutting a few holes big enough for granola pieces to pass through around the lower third of the container. Wash thoroughly after cutting.
Next, thread string through the cap area to create one long loop. Tie tightly to the stick/dowel so the container can hang freely.
Fill with granola and hang it up low enough for chickens to reach. As they peck at the holes, treats will fall out for them to catch and eat! Refill often.
Troubleshooting: My Chickens Won’t Eat Granola!
Don’t fret if your hens aren’t interested right away. Here are some tips to tempt their palates:
- Stir a spoonful into their feed so they associate the new taste with their regular food
- Sprinkle some out separately first to gauge interest before offering a full bowl
- Lead your boldest chicken over first – others will likely follow her lead!
- Add some irresistible mix-ins like mealworms or fruit
- Demonstrate by pretending to peck at it yourself
Be patient – it may take a few tries for new flavors to grow on them. But once they discover how delicious it is, they’ll come waddling over excitedly any time they see you with the granola bag!
Storing Leftover Granola Properly
Made too much granola? No worries, here is how to store it:
Let it fully cool after baking. Transfer to a sealed airtight container like a mason jar or sturdy plasticware with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark spot like a cupboard for 2-3 weeks maximum. Cold temps like the fridge can accelerate spoilage.
Check regularly for moisture and toss immediately at any signs mold. Fresher granola will stay crunchier longer vs getting stale.
Pro Tip: Let your chickens polish off leftovers first before storing to minimize waste! They won’t mind one bit.
Cleaning Up After Granola Time
When free-ranging while snacking on granola, chickens may inevitably fling their food around everywhere making a mess. To easily tidy up:
First, remove dishes, dispensers etc once they finish eating so flies and pests don’t gather.
Next, allow the area to fully dry then simply sweep, rake or shovel leftover debris as needed. Compost or discard any extremely soiled bedding.
Lastly, give the space a vigilant inspection for mold prone spots. Apply fresh bedding like straw or pine shavings to troubled areas. A little granola goes a long way – for both flavor and fun on the farm!
The Truth about Chickens and Oats-Honey Crunch
In the end, my chickens gobbled up every last sticky oat cluster and toasted pecan with pure delight! Matilda and Henrietta playfully tussled over the last coconut shaving. And Clara kept scanning the empty bowl in denial that the treasured treat was gone!
Yup, they were clearly clucking, peeping and feather-flapping their resounding seal of approval! My chickens’ voracious appetites and lack of tummy trouble afterward showed oats and honey granola is a scrumptious, nourishing snack chickens can and do relish very much!
Of course moderation is key, but allowing them an occasional well-rounded granola treat results in some very happy, healthy hens. And don’t just take my word for it – ask my chickens, they’ll enthusiastically corroborate what a delightful addition it was to their usual fare!
Just don’t make the mistake I did – standing there so long wanting to ensure they liked it that the eggs waited on me that day instead of the other way around!
Be sure to give your flock their special snack earlier enough so you still have time to collect breakfast from them as well. Yummy granola for them and basketfuls of fresh eggs makes the perfect morning treat combo!
