Is it o.k. to feed raw barley and rice (+pantry moths) to my chickens?

[Nic&Chickies]

These (as well as a lb. of rye flour) are in a canister in the kitchen which has become a small un-planned pantry moth farm.

I know at least one of my girls actually liked to chase and eat moths found by the composting bin, but If I just open the canister outside, they might just fly away, ready to try & infest more grain--maybe into their feed or scratch.
I'm thinking about dunking this canister into a 5-gallon bucket of water, which would serve to drown the pests, and possibly soak the 2 grains. I'd appreciate some advice.

 

[Imp]

Yes it is OK to feed raw barley, raw rice, and moths to your chickens.
If you don't want to soak it, you could freeze it, for a couple days. Freezing will kill the moths and larvae that are probably in it.
Rye flour is OK too, but not sure what you are going to do with it.

Imp

 

[galanie]

Freezing would be the easiest way to kill those moths. They'll love the rice the way it is but you might get them to eat the rye flour better by putting some water in it to make a paste. Or yogurt or whatever.

 

[Arielle]

If you don't mind baking with contaminated flour, make a quick bread to bake FOR THE CHICKENS. The texture is easier for them to eat than paste.

My girls chase moths outside like its the best food, a lot of quick hustling to catch a moth. ANd they usually get it!

 

[Life is Good!]

Ditto on the recently sighted moth-hunting hen!

Know those little white moths that fly up out of lawns in late summer? Our girls LOVED those things! I'm quite certain they took the entire population down a big notch this late summer. And too boot - it gave the girls LOTS of good exercise!

We called it 'chicken moth-ball'.

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

Moths, sure... but...
If raw rice kills birds.. (can no longer throw it at the bride and groom at weddings)... why would it be o.k. for chickens? I would haved guessed you could not feed raw rice to chickens, or anything that "expands" when it gets soaked or wet or cooked... but, I would be just guessing, because of the no rice for birds thing?

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Uncooked Rice will not kill birds, that is a old wives tail..
Uncooked Rice has been fed to chickens and pigeons for a very long time with out one bird dieing from it.

Chris

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

Hey, what can I say... I'm in weirdo haven California... and no uncooked rice is allowed at weddings, period. It was banned, many years ago, or at least prohibited by many of those who performed weddings in California.
I am happy to hear it was just another big lie sold to the masses by being repeated enough back then.
I stand corrected, happily.

 

[debid]

Quote:
I'd think a better reason would be that food on the ground attracts vermin but

They gave tiny packets of birdseed at my aunt's wedding and I'm sure that didn't stick around for long.

 

[Imp]

I've always heard it was an April Fool's day joke in a "Dear Abbey" or "Ann Landers" column, back in the 50's.
I also know that some churchs don't like it because raw rice is difficult to clean up.

Imp- throws rocks