The Poultry Keeper

nigel · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:07 am Post subject: Linseed Oil

After reading the article on Omega 3 in the new edition of PP I wondered if anyone here supplements the chickens food with Linseed/Flax oil?

and if so at what rate?

Do you notice any benefits?

Heather · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:26 am Post subject:

no but I do give them linseeds - keeps them busy for ages !

Haven't got my PP yet so will wait to see what it says with interest - we go through phases of buying the omega 3 & 6 oil to add to salads etc and we certainly feel pretty healthy when we have it - though that could be all the extra salads to use it up of course !

Lisa · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

I feed mine the whole seeds. For humans this is not recommended (they're supposed to go straight through you and come out undigested) but on the grounds that if chickens can digest whole wheat grains then tiny flax seeds won't be a problem for them. And I haven't noticed any coming out whole the other end yet Rolling Eyes

I know when you buy bottles of flax oil for human consumption at a health food shop most of it says to keep it in the fridge and to use within 6-8 weeks. This is because it oxidises so quickly. AFAIK, if an oil has a longer shelf life then it usually means its been more heavily processed ie is less good for you Confused

That puts me off adding oil directly to their feed.

But with whole flax seeds the oil is protected from oxidisation by the protective seed coat, until it gets eaten.

Can't say I've noticed any visible benefits, for us or the chooks . I'm assuming that they get a better diet, which should keep them more healthy, and that the eggs will have a higher content of good oil for us.

Although if you then cook with the eggs I don't know how much of the good oil remains in the end product or if it gets damaged by the heat. So on those grounds I'll be eating a lot of home made mayo, chocolate mousse and soft boiled eggs Laughing

like I need an excuse Rolling Eyes

Regards quantity, I have a pot of mixed seeds that I use for scratch feed. Currently this around equal quantities of wheat, mixed millet, flax and safflower seeds. Sometimes I use sunflower seeds and/or whole oats instead. Just depends what looks best at the feed store when I go shopping, or what's on special offer. They usually get about one handful of this mix per chook per day thrown in the run.

Heather · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:44 am Post subject:

yes the oil does have to be used within 6 weeks - so end up getting added to a lot of things - I had a thought that maybe it could be added to their porridge which I let cool down before I add the bio yog so hopefully it's be cool enough for the oil as well ! ?

The porridge lasts no more than 10 minutes so there'd be no chance of it going off

mojo · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:45 pm Post subject: hi

old fool that i am i thought linseed oil was what cricketers oiled their bats with.............mojo Cool

leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

It is!

Knobby · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

And patio furniture & kitchen worktops !!

NannyP · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject:

My French visitors must have thought my hens were so pampered. Their hens were fed wheat (hardly any other grain or corn in it) no layers pellets, not treats and felt a little on the light side. We had very few eggs, as I guess the hens were using all their energy in keeping alive, and the eggs did not hold together well in the pan, either boiled or fried. I did give them a few treats whilst I was there, I hope Gaelle wouldn't mind. They had a tin of sweetcorn, mixed with olive oil, baguette and some live yoghurt!! And as we left, I gave them a whole lamb shoulder (minus most of the meat) they went for that!!
The French, I understand, treat the hens more as livestock, rather than pets. Confused

Knobby · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:44 pm Post subject:

No, but I think your hens are better fed than the ones I sat for in France. You appear to have a different attitude, plus, as you've said many times, you couldn't eat them!! That's pets not livestock Confused

mojo · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject: hi

nanny is right french dont have pets only livestock everything has to earn its way at lowest cost to owner....ieonly scraps for dogs and cats..only grain for chickens(its cheap in the country).......ducks and geese have to forrage for grass .....by comparison all our animals live a life of luxury .....mojo Cool