The feeding of laying hens is a very important component of their content, since the food that enters the body of birds is one of the factors affecting their productivity.
It is known that cereals should be the main food for domestic chickens.
We will talk about the benefits and harms for the avian organism of oats and other products in this article.
Is it possible to give the hens oats
It is not only possible to give oats, but also it is necessary: this culture is the basis for the feeding of domestic hens along with wheat. She has a rich vitamin and mineral composition that chickens need for normal development, growth and productivity. 
In oats there are necessary carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber. Carbohydrates, which are responsible for the energy saturation and activity of the bird, most of it - 66 g. Fat - 6-7 g. Protein, or protein, which is part (16-17 g per 100 g of product), is necessary for building muscle mass and full development of the bird.
The nutritional value of 100 grams of oats is 389 kcal.
It will be useful for you to learn what should be included in the diet of chickens, than to feed laying hens, how to feed chickens in winter for egg production.
100 g of this cereal contains:
- vitamins - group B (1, 2, 5, 6, 9), PP;
- macronutrients - potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus;
- trace elements - iron, manganese, copper, zinc;
- amino acids - arginine, valine, histidine, leucine, lysine, tryptophan, alanine, glycine and others;
- fatty acids - Omega-3, Omega-6, palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, lauric, linoleic and others.
The above elements are responsible for high egg-laying and good bird health. 
As you can see, oats is a valuable source of nutrients. However, it should not be given to the birds constantly and uncontrollably. With the introduction of this grain in the diet, a measure is needed, otherwise this food will not benefit, but to the detriment.
Did you know? Scientists who participated in an international project, as a result of large-scale research and comparison of chromosomes and skeletons, came to the conclusion that the closest ancestor of the chicken is a dinosaur, namely, a predator of the highest order.
Beneficial features
The rich chemical composition of oats gives it a number of useful properties:
- formation and strengthening of the immune system;
- positive role in the formation of the musculoskeletal system;
- help in fast recovery after a molt, stimulation of feather growth;
- increase productivity;
- replenishing the body with essential vitamins and minerals;
- beneficial effect on young growth.
Contraindications
As we have already mentioned, only oats, introduced into the diet in moderation, are beneficial for the body of the bird. Excessive use of it, drawing up a menu from only one of this cereal, or improperly serving it, harms chickens. 
If you do not adhere to this recommendation, then soon the poultry will experience health problems, in particular, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, reduced egg production, poor weight gain, stunted growth and development, indigestion and other problems of the gastrointestinal tract.
Important! Poultry farmers and veterinarians recommend limiting the amount of oats, giving it in an amount of not more than 20% of the total feed.
The first harm is a large amount of fiber, which the digestive system of chickens hardly digests.
And owners of breeds that are prone to obesity, should be introduced oats in food chickens carefully and in very small doses. In layers that gain excessive weight, egg production deteriorates significantly, bone problems develop, and due to low physical activity, they become painful. 
How to give oats to chickens
Thus, the benefit or harm from the introduction of this cereal in the diet of chickens will depend on two factors:
- in what quantities it will enter the body of the bird;
- how you will give it.
The fact is that the raw grain with husks contains more fiber than unshelled. Therefore, it is desirable to give it without shells - so the amount of fiber that will enter the body of the bird will be almost 5% less.
It is also advisable to detail, germinate or steam the grass before falling asleep in the trough.
It will also be useful for you to find out if you can give bread, bran, garlic, meat and bone meal to chickens, as well as learn how to breed worms for chickens and how to prepare mash for chickens in winter and summer.
In the summer
In the summer, when the chicken can walk a lot and forage itself, the amount of oats should not exceed 20% of the total feed. It is given separately or mixed with other cereals and other types of food, for example, with greens, vegetables. 
This cereal culture is very important for the young generation - it is given to them 2-3 times a week in flakes or in a ground form.
Important! If the diet of the bird is ready-made feed, in which the content of oats is at the level of 10-20%, then the additional introduction of this cereal can adversely affect the health of the hen. Somewhat increase the supply of oats - no more than 5%, it is possible only during the period of dropping feathers.
In winter
In winter, birds should be given germinated or steamed oats - as such it is better absorbed by the digestive tract of the bird. The recommended total number of cereals per day per individual is 120 g, of which oats are 30 g.
It is very important to give this product during the period of molting or reducing egg production.
How to germinate chickens grain
- In a plastic container, put a clean fabric of natural yarn.
- The fabric is moistened.
- Put on her grain.
- Cover with a layer of damp cloth.
- Place the container in a warm place with good lighting.
- Before the emergence of sprouts, as necessary, the seeds are moistened.
- After the appearance of the roots and green shoots they give chickens.
The easier way to germinate grain for chickens at home can be found in the video. -
How to steam grain
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add to it a little salt (no more than 5 g).
- Pour boiling water over oats.
- Boil it for 10 minutes.
- Water is drained.
- The grain is dried.
What else can be given to chickens?
Grain crops alone can not provide all the needs of the body of the chicken, so other products must be present in its diet. Below we consider the feasibility of introducing some of them.
Important! Before introducing any new product to poultry, its composition and information on the benefits and harms to the bird's organism should be studied in detail. These data will help to make the hens menu correctly, which will fully provide them with necessary elements and fill all the needs of the body.
Barley
Barley is also an indispensable ingredient in chicken feed, as well as in all livestock and poultry. However, it should be said that chickens dislike him because of the sharp ends of the casing. So that they must eat it, you should give it in a mixture with other grains. 
Barley, like oats, is rich in protein (10 g), carbohydrates (56 g), fats (2 g), fiber (14.5 g), vitamins, minerals, amino and fatty acids.
The optimal amount of barley in the chicken ration is 30% of the total feed per day. They feed the young, pre-cleaned and detailed.
It is not recommended to give this grass during the molting period. In winter, like oats, barley is preferably fed in germinated form.
Wheat
Wheat is the main cereal that is offered to poultry: it can be given in amounts of up to 60-70% by weight of the entire feed. It is desirable that the wheat was more in percentage than other cereals. 
This cereal has a positive effect on the immune and hormonal systems, the development of the musculoskeletal system, joints, contributes to their resistance to various diseases, and improve egg production.
A bird that consumes wheat in sufficient quantities has practically no problems with the digestive tract, there is no obesity problem.
Important! Chickens under the age of 2 months for normal life, development and growth should be consumed about 290 kcal, 20% protein, 4% fiber. From 2 to 4 months - 260 kcal, 15% protein, 5% fiber. After 5 months - 270 kcal, 16% protein, 5% fiber.
Like previous cereals, it is desirable to give wheat in germinated form. But in contrast to oats and barley, wheat grain is well absorbed by the chicken's gastric tract, and the substances in its composition help vitamins and minerals to be absorbed.
Corn
Many poultry farmers necessarily give the hens corn. This is quite nutritious, high-calorie (325 kcal per 100 g) and a useful product containing 10 g of protein, 5 g of fat, 60 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fiber. 
Corn is involved in the coloring of the yolk, increasing the productivity of poultry, its development and growth.
Corn grain should be given to chickens in ground form metered, because it can provoke obesity due to its high nutritional value. There is a list of breeds, mainly related to the meat and egg direction, which corn is contraindicated.
With regard to the amount of corn, if 120 grams are recommended for laying hens per day, then 40 grams of corn should be from this amount
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Bread
Whether to feed chickens with bread is an ambiguous question. It can be entered into the menu of birds, but not the one that remained from the common table or lay in the breadbasket for several days and moldy. Fresh, black bread and pastry baking is generally prohibited for feeding. 
The first is bad for digestion, swelling in the stomach. Black bread contains a lot of salt and yeast, which in large quantities have a negative impact on the health of chickens. Muffin also badly affects digestion.
However, occasionally and in small quantities, this product can be mixed with potatoes, cottage cheese, bran. It should be yesterday and dried. Substances included in its composition will contribute to the strengthening of immunity and increase the productivity of birds. The best time for such a prikormki is autumn-winter period.
A fish
To increase the productivity of egg chickens, they can be fed boiled fish, in a large amount containing phosphorus and calcium. This delicacy can pamper birds 1-2 times a week. It will be enough 10 g per one hen per day. With more frequent feeding can be problems with digestion - loss of appetite, constipation. 
For feeding is suitable as inexpensive fish and fish waste, which should be carefully ground. It is also useful to give fish meal: it is fed fresh in the amount of 3-12% of the total mass of feed. For each layer should be 1 small spoon. Flour mixed in feed or mash.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to feed chickens with salted fish. An excessive amount of salt leads to serious poisoning of birds, which are often fatal.
Potatoes
Potatoes are given to chickens only in boiled form, because after heat treatment, the substance solanine, harmful to the birds, leaves the bird. It should be said that the hens willingly eat this product - it is perfectly digested by their gastrointestinal tract and is suitable for feeding chickens from 15-20 days.
Per day one individual can be fed up to 100 g of boiled potatoes. It is added to the mash, and also combined with other products. 
Beet
As you know, chickens need vegetables, including root vegetables. Beets can be given to chickens, but with caution and in strict dosage. The laxative properties of the vegetable can play a cruel joke with the birds and cause abundant diarrhea, which will certainly adversely affect the general condition of the bird and egg production.
In addition, the beets can stain the cloaca of the bird, and this, in turn, provokes spraying by its congeners. It is also believed that this product causes increased aggression among the chicken population.
The best for feeding chickens is the fodder type of beets. It can be given raw and boiled in a crushed form. The recommended dose is 30-50 g per day per individual. 
Rye
This product is widely used for feeding birds, because it contains a sufficient amount of protein. However, experts advise to abandon this grain due to the fact that it can cause digestive disorders.
There are quite a lot of mucous substances in the freshly harvested grain, which, getting into the stomach, swell and are not digested. In small quantities and occasionally allowed to enter into the feed grain rye, which was harvested no earlier than 3 months ago.
It is allowed in the absence of other supplies in the winter to give this product in an amount of up to 8% of the total mass of the entire feed. It is not recommended to feed young individuals with rye. 
Thus, oats are an important component of proper and balanced feeding of laying hens. It has a number of advantages, such as: a positive effect on the immune system, the formation of the backbone, stimulation of the growth of the feather, an increase in egg production.
However, it is important to respect the dosage of this product. Excessive amount threatens the deterioration of the health of chickens. Cereals are the basis of the poultry menu, but other foods of plant and animal origin should be included in the diet. The amount of feed will depend on the breed of chicken, its age, season, climate.
