Question:
I give my chins barley flakes sometimes with rolled oats. they've always thrived on them, and I've done it for ages...I was wondering though....my friend told me that she'd heard from a rancher that the barley can make chins. hyper..has anyone heard of this before????

Connie


Answer:
I give that to my chins in their suppliment.. but I have never heard of them getting hyper from it.. and it doesnt seem to make them any more rambunctious than what they already are.. hehe


Answer:
I also give it to my chins as a supplement, and some of my chins are pretty laid back, so I don't think it has any effect on them. Maybe the rancher means it does give them more energy, but I would think that Barley would be good energy for them.


Answer:
I have heard that barley is an aphrodisiac.


Answer:
I had heard that too Candice, but never that it caused hyper activity before.
Carleen


Answer:
I have heard the same about barley being an aphrdisiac.


Answer:
I believe that barley is more energy-packed and dense than feed like oats, and because of the maltose, as opposed to sucrose, is more easily digested. We fed it as a supplement to our horses for years, but I never saw any direct correlation, to, um, intense fondness. As kids, we would chew it to create this gum-like texture. I've never given it to our chinchillas, but I can't see why in very small amounts it would be at all harmful. I'm guessing the rancher issued the warning in relation to giving too much at once.