We have had an unusually balmy Fall and Winter this year. I counted my blessings too soon as yesterday our weather went from mid 40s to mid 20s overnight. The wind picked up and the dampness set in, typical Cape Cod Winter weather. I was sure the girls would have a frozen waterer as I peered out into the yard at the rhododendrons with their curled leaves. It was time to start making them one of their favorite Winter morning treats, chicken oatmeal. When the girls saw me walking toward the run yesterday with two bowls, they were giddy!
It is very easy to make and I feel better when I can warm up their tummies first thing in the morning. It takes about 5 minutes. The recipe is versatile and can be adapted to whatever you have in your kitchen. I make it as you would an ice cream sundae. The base flavor, in this case oats, is the same. The toppings vary and your own creations are endless.
This recipe serves 8 chickens.
Base Ingredients:
1 cup of oats
1 3/4 cups of water
Topping Ideas:
raisins
scratch
meal worms
assorted berries
sunflower seeds
dried and fresh herbs
wheat grass
Preparation:
Combine the oats, raisins and water in a microwave proof bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes. Remove from microwave let cool a bit, so you do not burn your chicken’s unsuspecting mouths. Stir and add additional toppings. Varying the toppings is fun and I love surprising the girls with one of their favorite Wintertime treats.
I always separate their chicken oatmeal into two bowls and deliberately place them on opposite sides of the run. This ensures that all of the hens get to fill their empty bellies with warm goodness.
18 thoughts on “Chicken Oatmeal”
I like the part about separating the oatmeal into 2 bowls. I have to do that with my little flock or the less aggressive ones never get anything special. Its a good reminder that, as a caretaker, we are responsible for all of the wards under our care… its kind of like children.
Oh, my hens love this too! I usually do oatmeal, cornmeal, scratch, crumbles, diced apple, and even sometimes dried fruit or banana. They do really enjoy it!
SAKim, you could not be more right! They do remind me so much of children.
Our Side of the Mountain, yum!
You are so good to your girls!
I try edenhills 🙂
Thanks for the idea! I'm going to run a batch out to my ladies right now. I'm also going to add your to my blog roll, nice tips!
Allison, you are very welcome. We would be honored to be on your blog roll. Thank you.
Getting by a little late on this posting Melissa. It is wonderful! Thank you for the recipe and the great ideas always!
Deb Look forward to more chicken goodness from you in 2012!
Thanks Deb! Glad you liked it! I am so glad you stopped in and I can't wait to see you soon in person:). Happy 2012!
I am making this for my chickens right now! I am so excited 🙂 I hope it will warm their bellies a bit, it snowed last night and I am sure they are cold!
Let me know how they like it Angelica.
I made oatmeal today too, but mine had shaved turkey breast, hot peppers & assorted seeds with yogurt & milk.. Hee hee…they loved it.
Wow! Now that sounds like amazing chicken oatmeal Pam B! I bet they loved it.
what a good idea! they also like grits, i make grits and if my kids don't eat it all i throw it to them they go crazy! gonna try oatmeal next!
My Chickens love this!
I give it to them nearly every morning.
I live up north and the weather regularly dips into the negatives. We have two feet of snow out now! The chickens go crazy when they see me coming after a cold night. My white chickens are more aggressive than my brown ones and usually end up eating most of it.
I did this today for the ladies and mixed in leftover spaghetti and ACV. They ate it all up. 🙂
I gave this to my chickens today and they didn’t go anywhere near it. Any suggestions on getting them to try it?
Try sprinkling some dried mealworms on top and scatter them around the bowl. It takes a while for them to be unafraid of new things and to try new things. It will only take one chicken to try it and then they will all go crazy for it!