Recipe: Winter Warmer Poultry Porridge
Keeping your hens well through autumn and winter is always a challenge, especially when the weather turns particularly cold and wet. Whilst we're sure that your poultry will have a cosy coop to snuggle in, whipping them up a winter warmer like Verm-X Poultry Porridge will certainly perk them up on a chilly morning.
Making porridge for chickens is simple and you don't need to give them much. Our recipe is based on using a tablespoon of oats per hen. For this recipe, we have chosen to add our Verm-X Keep Well for Poultry, Ducks & Fowl. Verm-X Keep Well is a natural source of calcium and contains a blend of Tansy, Ginseng, Nettles, Cinnamon and other vital herbs.
This natural tonic is ideal for supporting rescue and recovering hens, making it the perfect additive for a little winter boost.
How to make porridge for chickens
Recipe for 8 chickens - to feed occasionally as a treat on a cold morning.
Ingredients
- 40g oats (we like to use organic, gluten-free oats)
- 100ml hot water
- 20g Verm-X Keep Well for Poultry, Ducks & Fowl
Additional topping ideas:
- Meal worms - about 5 per hen
- Assorted berries - such as blueberries and raspberries (one or two berries per bird)
- Sunflower seeds - just a pinch per bird
- Dried and fresh herbs - such as Mint, Oregano, Comfrey, Calendula (Pot Marigold) and Thyme
Method
The oats should not be cooked*; just pour hot water over them. Add the Keep Well to the moist oats, or use as a porridge topper. Let the oats cool a little, add your toppings and serve to your flock. It's that simple!
*Never serve cooked oats to chickens (or other birds) as they are sticky and may 'glue' a birds beak closed as they dry.
Oats provide your hens with an excellent source of protein, vitamins and antioxidants, and you can build on this further with nutritious porridge toppers such as meal worms, berries and sunflower seeds. We've included a list of example herbs below which are great for your hens, and their benefits.
Mint - to aid digestion.
Oregano - traditionally known for its antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties, oregano is also chock full of vitamins, calcium and antioxidants. It could also promote a healthy immune and respiratory system.
Comfrey - a healthy treat for your feathered friends, Comfrey may help aid digestion.
Calendula - feeding your chickens calendula petals can give a lovely orange colour to their yolks. These petals can also promote healthy beaks and feet.
Thyme - herbal lore describes thyme as having antibiotic and antibacterial properties. This herb is considered especially equipped to tackle respiratory infections.
Depending on the time of year, you might also want to add 20g of Verm-X Poultry Zest. This would be especially effective during the moulting period from September to November, giving your hens extra protein and calcium to support them in a speedy and healthy moult.
Want to find out more about how you can support your chickens through the moulting period? Read our article here.
