The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Floyd on May 08, 2011, 08:03:39 pm

Title: Growing Oats for Poultry feed
Post by: Floyd on May 08, 2011, 08:03:39 pm

I could probably grow Oats due to my northerly location but are they a viable feed for the chickens?

As usual your input is greatly appreciated

Title: Re: Growing Oats for Poultry feed
Post by: princesspiggy on May 08, 2011, 09:29:59 pm

they are supposed to be good for turkeys so dont see why not.  :wave:

Title: Re: Growing Oats for Poultry feed
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 08, 2011, 11:41:01 pm

I worked on a mixed organic farm in Wales.  They grew oats and all the stock ate oats.  Milled for the cattle, whole for the chickens.  Can't remember how the pigs got theirs.  The choox ate the grain (is that the right term for oats?) and left the husk, you could put the husks on the compost heap I guess. 

They said that the oats were a good feedstuff for the chickens but a little low in protein. So they also fed the chickens the skimmed milk from the house cow.  The whole milk required for the house was taken first, then the cream was collected to make butter, the remaining skimmed milk was fed to the chickens.

The choox were also given a sprinkling of layers pellets in the morning, but not very many.

Title: Re: Growing Oats for Poultry feed
Post by: Floyd on May 09, 2011, 09:29:36 am

thats good news.  Time to get the rotavator out!

Many thanks

Title: Re: Growing Oats for Poultry feed
Post by: Rosemary on May 09, 2011, 04:39:32 pm

Hmm might have a go at that next year.