[Prod]

I feed the wild birds with peanuts/mixed seed and niger seed & sometimes put out dried porridge oats which the finches and dunnocks love.  My chickens were in the shed today and 'found' the packet of oats  and helped themselves.  I guess it wont harm them  or ?

[sarajane]

Mine love it.  Don't tell anyone but when temperatures are near freezing I've been know to make a bowl and take it to them nice and warm in the mornings 

[Prod]

Crikey  you have got it bad!!!     I only got mine in March  so we'll see how we go in mid december especially up here in the hills.

[compostqueen]

I eat porridge most mornings, and when I had hens, so did they 

[splash101]

mine love it too, i only do it on cold mornings or evenings before bedtime (for them not me) and sometimes pop in a mashed banana plums, apples etc.
Doesnt seem to matter how much i make its gone in minutes, a bit of a free for all and dont dare to get in the way

[nerdle]

OMG kindred spirit porridge eaters!  I get mine from health food shop and a sackload lasts most of the year. 

Works out at about 20p per serving and a huge brekkie will be shared with hen and dog.  Batchelor girls have some terrible habits....he he......

[sarajane]

I have to say the cgirls haved it plain, no sugar, cream syrup jam    

[Casey76]

Oats should be given to hens SOAKED only.  They swell and can cause impacted crop if they are fed dry.

When making "porridge" for hens in winter it should be made with water, NO MILK because hens are lactose intolerant and milk cand give them an upset stomache.

[Prod]

thats the opposite of feeding wild birds then as it is recommended to feed them dry as they can clog their beaks/throats when wet.........

[gracie]

I just cover the oats in boiled water and they swell. I also add whatever cereal my so has left in his plate. He only has things like crispies, bran flakes or weetabix and the girls love it

[joyfull]

feeding food scraps to chickens is illegal in the UK, sorry

[gracie]

Surely that's only if someone else is eating them or the eggs?

[parson]

I thought it was only illegal if ABP (animal by products) where included.

[joyfull]

no it relates to all types of food scraps from both commercial and domestic kitchens whether the eggs are sold or not.

[joyfull]

please see here regarding Defras ruling.