To fulfill our needs for eggs and meat, we used to keep these social birds in our homes and farms. As they can share a space with us, similarly they can share several our foods as well. For example, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. As chickens can eat that variety of foods so ever you think that can chicken share your breakfast oats? Can chickens eat uncooked oatmeal?
If ever you want to offer your oatmeal to your flocks but don’t know is it healthy for them or not, then here is this article for you.
However, chickens can eat uncooked oatmeal and this uncooked oatmeal offer several health benefits to chickens. Because, oatmeal is a natural source of calcium, choline, copper, iron, magnesium, many more.
Can Chickens Eat Uncooked Oatmeal?
Chickens are natural foragers and opportunistic omnivores birds that can eat both plants and animals based food. But only plant and animal based food are not that chickens can eat but they can eat humans based food.
And your flocks can eat a huge variety of human’s base food that ever you think. That’s why if you asking or wondering about can chickens eat uncooked oatmeal from your breakfast dish then here is a counter-question that why not?
As not only chickens can eat this uncooked oatmeal but this dish is healthy for them too. Oatmeal can offer the following health benefits to chickens,
Bones Health:
Oats or uncooked oatmeal is packed with magnesium and calcium. Both these nutrients are essential for bones health in chickens.
However, calcium is necessary for the eggshells in laying hens. And oatmeal can be a good source of calcium and magnesium not only for chickens but also for the younger chickens.
Because the deficiency of calcium and magnesium can affect the growth of younger chickens.
Source of Energy:
Oatmeal offers thiamin also known as vitamin B1, to chickens, and this vitamin gives energy to chickens by converting glucose to fat. As chickens require energy to fulfill their daily task, and your breakfast staple can be good in this task.
Healthy Nervous System:
Yes, this is another exciting health benefit that your uncooked oatmeal can offer to your flocks. Because, oatmeal contains a good amount of vitamin B5, which is healthier for the nervous system and skin of chickens.
Remove Zinc Deficiency:
Zinc deficiency can cause slower growth in chickens, short and thicker legs, respiration issues, etc. But uncooked oatmeal can fulfill the zinc deficiency in chickens and give them healthy growth.
Read also: Can Birds Eat Uncooked Oats?
Can Baby Chickens eat uncooked oatmeal?
Let me explain this question into two sections. As in the first section I want to explain that can baby chickens eat oatmeal and in the second section, I will explain about offering them uncooked oatmeal.
Oatmeal is not only healthy to chickens but it is equally healthy to chicks as well. And not only chicks can eat it but we have to offer oatmeal to chicks because of its healthy nutritional profile.
Now let’s jump towards offering uncooked oatmeal to chicks. However, according to my experience, it would not be a good choice to offer uncooked oatmeal to chicks.
Rather than that, cook them for chicks or at least soak them into hot water. However, you can also soak them into milk or apple sauce for the whole night, if you don’t want to cook them.
To enhance the nutritional profile of oatmeal you can also add several other healthy ingredients like fruits.
And then just place in front of chicks and let them to peck on this delicious and healthy oatmeal.
Is uncooked Oatmeal Bad for Chickens?
No, uncooked oatmeal cannot be bad for chickens as long as you offer them in moderation. As moderation is the key to good health.
However, the myth that uncooked oatmeal can be bad for chickens arises because oats contain Beta-glucans naturally in the form of polysaccharides and soluble fiber.
This beta-glucan can slower the digestion process in the chicken’s intestines. And this is the cause of the myth that uncooked oatmeal or oats can be harmful to chickens.
But at the same time, beta-glucans have several health benefits to chickens. For example, the slow absorption of carbohydrates because of beta-glucans keeps blood sugar at a normal level.
Moreover, studies show that beta-glucans can enhance several immune functions in the chicken’s body by working as a catalyst. For example, to activate the cells of macrophages, neutrophil cells, etc. However, it also helps to activate the antimicrobial activities in the chicken’s body.
Last but not the least, beta-glucans help to prevent the colonization of salmonella and E.coli bacteria’s in the chicken’s gut.
How To Make a Healthy Uncooked Oatmeal for Chickens?
Oats are grains with numerous nutrients and minerals, so you can serve only oats to your flocks without preparing and oatmeal.
However, preparing oatmeal doesn’t need to be cooked and you can offer uncooked oatmeal to chickens with several other ingredients as well.
To prepare uncooked oatmeal you can soak them in hot water to moisten them or you can soak them into milk or apple juice.
After the oats become enough to moisten place them in front of chickens and let them enjoy this delicious and healthy meal.
However, you can enhance the nutritional level of uncooked oatmeal after adding several other ingredients, like vegetables, fruits, including, beets, carrots, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, basil, oregano, parsley, etc. are all the best choices.
A Final Thought:
Sharing space with your flocks leads you to wonder that can you share your breakfast staple food like oatmeal with them. That’s why this article serves you all the information about can chickens eat uncooked oatmeal?
As it is not necessary to cook oatmeal to offer the chickens when they can eat uncooked oatmeal.
Uncooked oatmeal in moderation leads a positive and healthy change in your flock’s growth by providing them numerous nutrients like zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and B5, etc.
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