You do not need to grind the whole grain when you choice-feed your hens. The birds will readily eat whole wheat, whole oats or whole barley (but they can have difficulty eating whole corn). ... Hens can successfully consume 70% of their diet as whole grain when it is choice-fed.

Can you feed wheat to chickens?

Chicks can be fed wheat, oats or barley. ... All poultry can be fed hard red, durum, extra strong or utility wheat. Rye can be introduced after six weeks of age and can comprise up to half of the grain in laying hens' diets.

What does wheat do to chickens?

Wheat is higher in protein and the amino acids lysine and tryptophan than corn. Wheat contains gluten, which is advantageous in the making of pellets because it eliminates the need for pellet binders.