*mummy_hen* Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 As above really, is it ok to give the chickens normal porridge oats made with warm water as i'm sure i read somewhere that oats were fine for chickens? Know you can make it with their mash, but ours isn't the right sort of mash to do it and want to give them something warm in this ghastly downpour that we are having!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 As above really, is it ok to give the chickens normal porridge oats made with warm water as i'm sure i read somewhere that oats were fine for chickens? I put two soupspoonfuls of ordinary porridge rolled oats into a small saucepan, add 15 soupspoonfuls of water, bring to boil, cook for 7 minutes stirring all the time. Turn off heat, stir in one more soupspoonful of cold water and a handful of raisins/sultanas and leave to cool. If I am in a hurry, I cool it all faster by half-immersing the saucepan in the washing up bowl partly filled with cold water. Decant into treats bowl and serve - stand back so as not to be trampled in the rush. (My hens like to ride shotgun on the treats bowl, as it is lowered to the floor of the run.) I sometimes mix in a teaspoon of probiotic yogurt or poultry spice, after I have put the porridge into the treats bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Oh I am glad this thread was psoted, I have never given porridge yet, but I will do this as soon as I get some oats in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 My two love porridge - gets very messy though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 great! I love it when they enjoy messing themselves up a bit, just like kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Gave then some this morning and they really liked it. Promptly got it all over there beaks....then tried to wipe them off on the floor like they do and ended up getting food, bedding, etc. stuck all over it!!! They did look very funny! Will definately try adding some little goodies to it next time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Gosh that's very precise, Hilda-and-Evadne! I just chuck oats in a pan and add water till it looks about right! raisins or sultanas go down well, too. I don't usually bother with the treats bowl ... I just lob spoonfuls of porridge straight on to the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I do the same Olly. Oats in a dish, pour boiling water on them, quick stir and that's it Mine will eat pretty much anything if it's stirred into a bowl of porridge When I was a child, just after the war, the lady next door kept chickens. All the neighbours would donate their veggie peelings etc., to her and she threw them all into an enormous pot which she kept simmering on her stove. This was what she fed to her chickens, which were very prolific layers, as she provided all the neighbours with eggs. No layers pellets in those days Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I make up a scoop of layers pellets, a handful of porridge oats, any left over veg, potatoes etc or bread and pour boiling water on and leave to cool, add water to sloppy and serve = sometimes put in sweetcorn too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I mix porridge oats up wityh some pellets and other gooides, then pour some hot water over it all and let it soak in. They seem to like it fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Oh no! I didn't realise you're meant to cook it! I've only given my girls porrige oats a couple of times, but I just mixed them with a bit of cold water! Mind you, they didn't seem bothered. I'll use boiling water in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I like the way that my girls try to 'share' their porridge with me! As in, they flick it at me! Come to think about it they do it with pretty much all of their treats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 After seeing this thread, tonight I gave our girls some porridge for the first time, with a little cucumber,celery and spinach mixed in and when they had finished, the bowl was as clean as if it had come out of the dishwasher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 When I was a child, just after the war, the lady next door kept chickens. All the neighbours would donate their veggie peelings etc., to her and she threw them all into an enormous pot which she kept simmering on her stove. This was what she fed to her chickens, which were very prolific layers, as she provided all the neighbours with eggs. No layers pellets in those days Tessa Did you live in Tottenham by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
