If you’re an aspiring homesteader who prefers homemade chicken feed to commercial feed, then this post is for you. Homemade chicken feed has all the nutrients necessary for your poultry’s growth. So if you intend to mix a variety of ingredients, please know the right amount to feed your chicken for efficiency.
That said, let’s get started.
What to Put in Your DIY Poultry Feed
Once you’ve leveraged your choices of chicken feed, identify some of the plants to feed them. Know the right proportions to blend to your homemade chicken feed.
Meanwhile, maximize what you have available so that you can comfortably work on your shoestring budget. And yes, you can customize your poultry feed recipes based on your geographical region.
While there are tons of recipes online, you’d want to be informed about the composition of commercial poultry feed so that you have a rough idea of the right quantities to blend. Ensure that the poultry feed is well balanced for the sufficient growth of your birds.
But, how do you ensure that your homemade chicken feed is well balanced? Well, including ingredients with all the essential nutrients is a plus.
Below is a general guideline to give you a rough idea of what to blend in your homemade poultry feed.
Main Feed for Chickens
- Corn (feed them whole)
- Oats or barley (at least 15 percent of the total diet)
- Field peas instead of soybeans for protein.
- Wheat
- Alfalfa meal is rich in protein and also suitable for winter.
When mixing the above ingredients, make sure to customize them to your needs. Also, don’t forget to make good use of the available resources.
Things to Add to Chicken Feed
- Flaxseed
- Cultured yeast
- Grit
- Kelp
- Broad-spectrum mineral supplement
- Crab meal
- Feeding limestone
- Probiotic
- Salt
- Fish meal
- Oyster shell
Equipment Needed
A commercial, heavy-duty feeder is a must-have, especially when you want to prepare poultry feeds for multiple chickens. With this, grinding fresh grains for your chicken is a no brainer.
Not only that, but you’ll also need to purchase storage bags for your poultry grains. Alternatively, construct a simple storage bin with a lid at the top. Ensure that you maintain high levels of sanitary by cleaning the containers at least once a month to prevent infestations.
Raise Chickens on Pasture
While homemade chicken feed offers better value for money, sometimes feeding your chicken can be quite expensive. However, raising your poultry on pasture is a good bet. This is one of the ways to feed your hens naturally.
You’ll also notice significant growth in your chicken when you feed them along with the homemade chicken feed. Because birds can self-regulate, accessing insects, weeds, and grasses is dead simple.
Sadly, you’ll have to provide food to your chicken if you reside in regions where grasses disappear during the winters. Lastly, have enough supplements in stock even when you’re raising your chickens in a pasture.
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