Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey, fellow chicken keepers!

I bake sourdough bread and mill my own flour, so I have a variety of grains on handwheat, rice, barley, oats, rye, and more. Id love to start giving my flock some whole grains as treats, especially since a few of my birds are a bit flighty, and I want them to associate me with good things!

At what age can chickens safely handle whole, uncracked grains? Should I keep cracking larger ones like corn for longer? Also, Ive heard about fermenting grainsdo they handle fermented whole kernels better at a younger or older age compared to dry ones?

Would love to hear your experiences!

Thanks in advance!

Whole grains are fine as long as they have grit! I usually introduce them gradually, starting with smaller grains and working up to larger ones.

Fermented grains are awesome! I've found my chickens take to them better than dry ones, and they seem to digest them more easily, even when young.

I give my flock whole grains as soon as they start free-ranging. If they're pecking at bugs and plants, they can usually handle grains too!

I've noticed that my chickens go crazy for fermented grains! I started mine at around 8 weeks, and they handled it just fine.

I tried giving whole grains at 6 weeks, but they struggled. Around 10-12 weeks was the sweet spot for mine! I'd start with wheat or barley first.

I start giving my chickens whole grains around 10-12 weeks, but only if they have access to grit. They need that to break everything down properly!

My birds love whole oats and barley, but I hold off on whole corn until they're at least a few months old. It just seems too big for young ones.

I'd wait until they're at least 12 weeks old before offering whole grains. Cracked corn might be easier for them at first, but they'll get there!

Since you bake sourdough, have you ever tried giving them fermented wheat or soaked bread? Mine love it, and it's a great way to use up extras!