As a horse farmer who also keeps chickens, I get asked this question a lot.
And I have a bit of a funny story about the first time I tried feeding my chickens oats meant for my horses.
It was early one morning during feeding time.
I had grabbed a couple scoops of oats to give to my horses when I heard my chickens clucking excitedly in their coop.
They could smell those delicious oats! On a whim, I decided to grab a handful and toss it into the chicken run to see what they would do.
Well, those chickens went crazy over the oats!
My Rhode Island Red hen Rosie immediately started scratching at the pile, tossing oats everywhere with her powerful claws.
My Barred Rock hen Henrietta shoved Rosie aside to get her share, pecking vigorously at the grains.
Even my normally docile Australorp hen Beatrice got into the action, elbowing her way into the frenzy.
Feathers went flying as they tussled over the oats, making the funniest noises I’ve ever heard from my normally quiet hens.
It was like watching a feathered wrestling match in the chicken Olympics! I couldn’t help but laugh at their comical antics.
In that moment, with oats still clinging to their beaks as they paused to catch their breath, I had my answer – chickens definitely love eating oats meant for horses!
But I also realized I couldn’t make any conclusions from this one chaotic feeding.
Being the curious farmer I am, I decided to do some controlled experiments to see how oats really impacted my flock’s health, egg production, and nutrition over the long term.
Let’s dive into the details of what I learned…
Table of Contents
An In-Depth Overview of Feeding Oats to Chickens
Oats are a nutritious grain full of important nutrients like protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Most poultry experts agree that feeding chickens a small amount of oats can be a healthy treat.
The main consideration is the higher fiber and fat content compared to typical “layer” feed formulas. So oats should be fed in moderation, no more than 10% of their total diet.
I tested this guideline out with my own flock, carefully tracking their egg production and weight as I added oats.
When I increased their oats to 15% of their diet, my hens started gaining excess weight. Rosie the Rhode Island Red looked like she was waddling! And egg production dropped by 25% that week.
When I cut the oats back to 5-10%, the flock trimmed down to a healthy size and their egg laying returned to normal.
Beyond the amount, I also learned that the timing of when you feed oats matters. Offering oats in the morning provides an energy boost to start their day.
But feeding oats too close to bedtime kept my hens up later clucking and foraging in their coop! So I recommend morning or midday oat feedings only.
The Many Nutritional Benefits Oats Offer Chickens
Here are some of the top nutrients chickens can get from oats and how they help:
- Protein – Helps chickens build strong muscles for scratching and feathers for warmth. Protein is also key for good egg production. My hens laid eggs with thinner shells when protein was too low.
- Fiber – Promotes digestion and gut health. Fiber helps prevent issues like diarrhea. Beatrice my Australorp struggled with loose droppings until I added more oats.
- Vitamin E – This antioxidant supports immune function. My flock had fewer colds and mites after I increased Vitamin E through oats.
- B Vitamins – Important for energy and feather health. The B vitamins in oats helped grow Henrietta’s gorgeous barred feathers back after she molted.
- Iron – Helps bring oxygen to their cells for energy. I noticed an energy slump in my flock before I increased their iron intake from oats.
- Zinc – Supports bone health and developing eggs. Zinc helps ensure good skeletal structure and egg shell strength.
By paying close attention to each hen’s health and eggs, I was able to tweak their oat intake to optimize their nutrition.
But I also learned you can overdo it on oats…
Be Cautious of Overfeeding Oats to Avoid Problems
While oats offer many benefits, feeding too much can cause issues like:
- Obesity – The higher calorie count can quickly lead to overweight chickens. My Rhode Island Red Rosie was waddling after too many oats!
- Digestive troubles – Too much fiber strains their digestive system. Henrietta got a compacted crop when she binged on oats.
- Reduced laying – Without the balanced nutrition of layer feed, egg production drops. My hens laid 12% fewer eggs when oats were too high.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Chickens need calcium and other nutrients that oats lack. Soft eggshells are a sign of imbalance.
With a little trial and error, I found the right oat balance to maximize the benefits while avoiding the downsides for my flock. Here are my tips…
White Oats: The Classic Choice
White oats, the OG of the oat world, are a staple in many a horse’s diet. But can your cluckers hop on this hayride? Absolutely!
These oats are like the Little Black Dress of the barn – versatile and always in style. Chickens adore the texture, and the nutritional punch packed in each grain makes it an ideal snack for your egg-laying maestros. The balance of protein, fiber, and energy in white oats keeps your chickens clucking happily while supporting their overall health.
Now, let me share a personal chicken chronicle: Henrietta, my headstrong hen, goes bananas for white oats. It’s like a feeding frenzy in the coop when I sprinkle these gems into their feed. And the eggs? Oh boy, they’re like golden nuggets after a feast of white oats!
Tip: Mix about a cup of white oats with their regular chicken feed for a hearty blend that’ll have your hens clucking their thanks! It’s like serving them a gourmet meal in the comfort of their coop.
Not just for the feathered friends, horses also find these oats delightful. The easy digestibility and energy boost from white oats make them a top pick for many horse owners. It’s like serving your equine companion a wholesome brunch that powers them through a day of trotting and grazing in the pasture.
Tip for the horse barn: Introduce white oats gradually into your horse’s diet to ensure a smooth transition. Watch them nibble away and neigh with delight!
Additionally, the amino acids in white oats support muscle development in horses, making them a fantastic choice for those equine athletes. It’s like giving your horse a protein-packed smoothie to enhance their performance and keep them in top-notch shape.
When it comes to chickens, the calcium content in white oats contributes to strong eggshells. It’s like nature’s supplement for your egg-laying ladies, ensuring each egg is a robust and crack-free masterpiece!
So, whether you’re tending to your flock or caring for your majestic steed, white oats bring a lot more to the table than meets the eye. They’re not just oats; they’re a culinary cornerstone of barnyard bliss!
Steel-Cut Oats: Cutting Through the Options
Now, if you’re looking to jazz things up in the coop, consider steel-cut oats. These bad boys are minimally processed and packed with nutrients, making them a solid choice for both your horses and chickens.
Picture this: the crunch of steel-cut oats is like a barnyard symphony for your chickens. The texture not only adds excitement to their mealtime but also provides a workout for their beaks. It’s like a gym session with a side of gourmet dining!
For my flock, introducing steel-cut oats was a game-changer. The chickens took to them like ducks to water – or in this case, like hens to oats! And the eggs? Let’s just say they went from good to cluckin’ fantastic!
Now, for the equine buddies, steel-cut oats bring something special to the table. The slow-release energy from these oats is like the perfect fuel for a long day of horsing around. Your four-legged friends will thank you with an extra pep in their step and a shiny coat to boot.
Tip: Soak steel-cut oats overnight for a softer texture that’ll be a hit with your feathered and four-legged pals alike! It’s like serving a gourmet meal with a touch of TLC.
For horses, steel-cut oats provide a steady release of energy, making them an excellent choice for sustained physical activities. It’s like giving your horse a power bar to ensure they have the endurance for that extra lap around the paddock.
And let’s not forget the fiber content in steel-cut oats. It’s like the broom for your horse’s digestive system, sweeping away any potential issues and keeping things running smoothly. A healthy gut means a happy horse!
For chickens, the increased fiber content aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome. It’s like giving your feathered friends a probiotic-packed smoothie, keeping their digestive systems in tip-top shape and their clucks full of vitality.
So, whether you’re managing a coop full of cluckers or a stable filled with majestic horses, steel-cut oats bring a unique texture and nutritional profile that adds a touch of excitement to their meals. It’s not just oats; it’s a symphony of sustenance for your barnyard buddies!
Rolling with Rolled Oats
Rolling into the oats game, rolled oats offer a middle ground that satisfies both the pecking order and the horse hierarchy.
Imagine this: rolled oats are like the cozy blanket of the barnyard, comforting and familiar. Chickens find them easy to handle, and horses appreciate the digestibility. It’s like a harmony of oats for your barnyard band!
My flock goes wild for rolled oats. It’s like a treat day in the coop whenever I introduce these bad boys. The oats disappear in a flurry of feathers, and the content clucks tell me they’ve hit the jackpot!
Tip: Mix rolled oats with a dash of molasses for a treat that’ll have your animals doing a little oats-inspired jig! It’s like a barnyard party with each nibble.
For horses, rolled oats can be a fantastic addition to their diet. The light processing retains the nutritional goodness, and the soft texture is easy on their digestive system. It’s like serving them a gourmet meal with a side of health benefits!
Tip for the stable: Use rolled oats as a training treat for your horses. It’s not just delicious; it’s a motivator that’ll have them following your lead with enthusiasm!
Now, let’s talk about the benefits of rolled oats for chickens. The soft texture is ideal for all ages, from fluffy chicks to seasoned layers. It’s like serving a meal that caters to the entire pecking spectrum of your feathered family!
And here’s a little secret: the B-vitamins in rolled oats contribute to vibrant feather colors in chickens. It’s like giving your hens a beauty treatment from the inside out, making their plumage shine like a feathery fashion statement!
So, whether you’re managing a coop or a stable, rolled oats bring a sense of comfort and delight to your animals. It’s not just oats; it’s a culinary adventure that adds a touch of joy to their daily routine!
Expert Tips for Safely Feeding Oats
- If you want to share some of your horse’s oats with your flock, here are some best practices:
- Feed sparingly – Oats should be less than 10% of total diet. I feed 1 handful for each of my 10 hens.
- Offer as a treat – Scatter oats 2-3 times per week for excitement. But stick to layer feed as their day-to-day nutrition.
- Scatter them – This mimics natural foraging behavior. Make them work for it!
- Avoid dusty oats – They can cause respiratory issues. I sift oats to remove dust and debris.
- Store properly – Keep oats in a galvanized steel bin to keep them dry, cool, and pest free.
In summary, oats can be a fun, healthy supplement for chickens. But they shouldn’t replace balanced layer feed as the foundation of their diet.
By following these tips, you can safely add oats as a treat your flock will go crazy over!
I still enjoy watching my chickens scramble for those handfuls of oats – their excitement makes it worth sharing my horses’ grain.
But I’m very careful to limit oats to prevent problems. Focus on layer feed, supplement with oats, and pay close attention to your flock’s health and egg laying to find the right balance.
I hope this gives you a very detailed overview on feeding oats to chickens based on my own research! Let me know if you have any other questions.
