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Before making any home-made feed, it is important to research a local source of grains. Look for grains that are grown or bought locally and are free of herbicide and pesticide. Organic grains are the optimal choice for making homemade feed. Furthermore, buying in bulk is an easy way to save money and have your chosen grains on hand whenever you need them.
The next step is to grind the grains. Coarsely grinding the middle size grains will help to reduce the sorting time by the chickens as they search for what they like best. Additionally, processing grains through a mill or grinder can help chickens extract the necessary protein and energy more easily.
Once the grains are ground, it is time to add the supplements. Nutrient rich supplements such as dried ground seaweed, fish meal, kelp meal and brewer’s yeast can help fill the void of missing proteins and trace minerals. If desired, adding fruits and vegetables to the mix can also provide additional protein and minerals.
Making the actual feed will come next. Depending on how much feed is needed and how often it needs to be made, many hobby farmers and small-scale producers use a kitchen scale or measuring spoons or cups to determine the quantities, typically a 2:1 or 4:1 proportion of grain to supplement, respectively. Mixing supplements into the grain can be done by hand or with a kitchen mixer.
Once the feed is made, it should be offered in multiple feeders to lessen waste and promote healthy eating. Make sure there is at least 2 inches of space between the top of the feed and the top of the feeder, as this will help to minimize waste or kicked out feed.
What to put in your home made Chicken Feed Mix
When making your own chicken feed, you will require several ingredients. You'll need grains such as wheat, barley, corn, and oats, as well as several other ingredients, including:
-Fats and proteins: Proteins and fats both provide energy for chickens. This can include fishmeal, cooked eggs, skim milk powder, and some vegetable oils such as canola or corn.
-Minerals and vitamins: This can include supplements like eggshell powder, oyster shell powder, kelp powder, brewer’s yeast, and dried herbs like thyme and oregano.
-Fiber: This is essential to help chickens maintain their digestive health. You can add bran, alfalfa meal, or leafy greens like kale to your feed.
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| Chickens love veggie scraps |
It's important to note that it's generally not recommended to feed chickens more than ten percent of total feed ingredients that are not grains. This is to help ensure that the chickens receive an adequate amount of energy from their feed.
When it comes to mixing these ingredients, the amount of each ingredient you add will depend on the age, breed, and needs of your chickens. Generally, adult chickens need an equal combination of protein and carbohydrates. You can achieve this by mixing together equal parts grains with equal parts of protein supplements and fats and oils. For chickens that are younger or require more protein, you can adjust the ratio and add more protein.
Once you've mixed all the ingredients together and can no longer discern the individual components, it's best to let the feed sit and settle for at least 24 hours before feeding.
