Making homemade organic chicken feed is an excellent way to have control over what your hens eat and give them a healthier diet.
Five essential building blocks of a healthy feed for chickens are carbs, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. All of these essential nutrients help them grow and flourish.
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Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are an ideal addition to your homemade organic chicken feed for providing your flock with an immune boost and gut health support. Popular examples of fermented foods include sourdough breads, beer, wine, kimchi, sauerkraut cheese and yogurt – all excellent sources for beneficial bacteria.
Fermentation is a natural process that takes place when beneficial bacteria partially digest food and create beneficial bacteria. These beneficial microbes aid your chickens in digesting their food more thoroughly and efficiently, helping them absorb essential nutrients more quickly.
Make fermented feed by filling a container about 1/3 full with cracked or whole grains and seeds. Cover the grains with water, stirring each day.
After three to four days, the water should begin to bubble and foam as fermentation kicks in. This indicates that your feed is ready for your chickens!
Vegetable Scraps
Organic chicken feed can be pricey, but vegetable scraps are an economical alternative. Plus, they add valuable nutrients like fiber and minerals to your chicken’s diet.
Vegetable stock can be made with any vegetables you have on hand; I suggest onion skins, carrot peels, garlic ends, celery tops and bottoms, potato skins, fennel tops, mushroom stems, sweet potato ends, leek greens as well as herb stems like thyme or parsley (for basil or cilantro).
To make two quarts of broth, mix 4 cups of scraps with 4 cups of water and a pinch of salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain and discard any vegetables before dividing the broth among lidded containers to cool to room temperature before storing in the fridge or freezing for up to 3-6 months.
Grass
Grass is one of the world’s most essential plants. From providing fodder for animals to producing cereals like corn, wheat and barley for human consumption, grasses play an integral role in maintaining our environment.
Grass needs water, oxygen and sunlight to grow. It begins as a seed that spreads its fibrous roots before becoming a blade of grass.
At the start of a plant’s life cycle, it needs plenty of water and oxygen. To ensure successful sprouting, ensure the soil is moist but not overwatered. Furthermore, plants must be planted at an appropriate depth so they can grow upwards towards the sun and crow’s nest.
Grass is an essential component of chickens’ nutritional needs. Not only does it contain protein, calcium, fiber and B vitamins but it’s also highly energy-rich and cheap to feed your flock.
Insects
Backyard chickens are voracious eaters and love to hunt for bugs, insects, and other tasty morsels. By allowing them to roam free around your garden, they can reduce the pest population in your yard and help keep your food fresher for longer.
Insects are an excellent source of protein and fiber for your flock, but it is essential that you feed them only high-quality organic insect-based feed.
To prevent pest infestations, practice good biosecurity. Make sure your backyard is free from debris and garbage, and that your chickens have a secure coop with a solid bottom and plenty of room to move around.
Another effective strategy for keeping bugs away from your birds is creating a compost pile. Chickens love to eat the scraps in your compost pile and they will also dig bugs out of the manure, providing you with an abundant supply of nutrient-rich manure to add to your garden. This provides your birds with healthy sources of manure they can easily consume.
