Ideally, a feed for layer hens will fall between 14 and 16% protein as a whole. In fact, they tend to be about 17% protein. As such, they’re the protein-rich base of your homemade chicken feed. These nutrient-dense berries are the heart of the wheat plant. Sauteed with kale or spinach and lots of garlic, they’re a great, simple, midday meal.Ĭhickens love them too. In fact, let’s take a look at each ingredient’s benefits before we mix them all together. Nothing is just filler in this recipe: it’s a nutrient-dense feed meant to nourish your birds properly. You can too! Pexels / Pixabay A Closer LookĮach ingredient contributes a certain number of essential nutrients. Remember that families have been raising poultry without bagged layer pellets for hundreds of years. In cold climates, especially when temperatures drop below zero, add in a scoop of corn during winter months.Ĭan it really be that simple? Yes, it can. If your hens don’t forage at all, you should definitely add in some grasses and grit. With this recipe, I’m assuming your birds spend at least a couple hours out scratching in the yard. What goes into this affordable little recipe? Of course, you can make it more complicated (and more filling) by sprouting the seeds, but you don’t have to.īest of all, your birds get all the nutrients they need to lay gorgeous, golden-yolked eggs all year long. It’s easy to mix up, and doesn’t take several hours to make, either. These ingredients are also easy to source, which is essential for rural homesteads.
#Homemade just crack an egg full#
This basic 5-ingredient recipe is packed full of the nutrients your birds need. You can pick up a twenty-dollar bag of organic feed at the farm supply store, mix up a 15 ingredient gourmet recipe, or just read on! I’ve created an excellent homemade chicken feed recipe that’s both healthy, and budget-friendly. But chickens need to be fed, and finding healthy, minimally processed options is definitely ideal. I know I have.Īs a busy homesteader, I just don’t have the time to mix up gourmet meals for my layers. Maybe you’ve been turned off by the idea of spending over 3 hours a week mixing, soaking, and fermenting your chicken food. It’s frustrating to only find chicken feed recipes that demand an overwhelming number of ingredients. I even researched the idea a few times before diving in. I know, you’ve probably looked into this subject before. The answer is homemade chicken feed! klimkin / Pixabay So, what’s a budget-conscious chicken owner to do? Nobody wants to feed their chickens junk food, but few can afford organic feed long term.
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Organic feed is expensive, and conventional feed is full of cheap fillers and GMO corn. If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly dissatisfied with feed store bags of layer pellets.