Raising chickens can be costly, and one of the major expenses is chicken feed. This expense increases significantly if you opt for organic or GMO-free options.
But there are ways to reduce your chicken feed bill without compromising nutrition! In this post, I’ll share with you several of my top budget-friendly alternatives for chicken food.
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1. Grow Your Own
Owning a flock of backyard chickens can provide you with fresh eggs, free entertainment and an invaluable sense of self-sufficiency. However, raising your own poultry can become quite expensive over time.
One way to reduce your feed expenses is by growing your own. With an easy system that promotes flock health, increases egg production and saves money in the long run, this simple step can pay dividends for you in no time!
Hearty greens like turnip greens, kale, Swiss chard and sorrel can be grown year-round to give your chickens plenty of fresh food throughout the year. Additionally, these vegetables will increase omega-3 content in eggs as well as enhance their vibrant orange yolks.
2. Ask
Raising poultry can be a major financial commitment. Thankfully, there are some clever tricks of the trade to keep your costs low. We’ve put together this handy list of must-haves for your feathered friends – everything from cost effective feed and food items to essential tools! We hope you love them as much as we do! For more information on taking backyard chickens to full flock status, stop by our online store today – our experienced professionals are more than happy to answer any queries about bringing those chickens into your home or backyard environment.
3. Make Your Own
Commercial chicken feed can be costly, but there are ways to make your own for less. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into your chicken food gives you peace of mind.
Before you can create your own chicken feed, it’s essential to understand your bird’s dietary requirements. They require a balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.
A balanced diet is essential for your chickens’ growth, production of eggs, and overall wellbeing. Not only that but it also prevents them from getting sick or weak.
The best part is that you can customize your homemade feed to meet your birds’ nutritional requirements. For instance, mixing high-protein grains with lower-protein grains will ensure an even distribution of protein across each meal.
4. Cook Your Eggs
Eggs are a go-to pantry ingredient for good reason: they’re easy to cook, delicious and packed full of nutrients. Make an egg scramble or mix them into an omelette for a nutritious brunch meal or serve them up with toast for a satisfying brunch treat!
Chickens require calcium to produce healthy eggs, and many people supplement with oyster shells; however, this can be expensive. As an alternative, feed your chickens crushed eggshells for a fast and inexpensive source of calcium.
5. Don’t Throw Away Trash
One of the best ways to save money on chicken feed is not throwing away trash. Call local bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants and even your farmer’s market to see if they have any food scraps that you could bring home for your flock.
They throw away thousands of pounds of under-cooked, bruised, stale or otherwise mismatched food each week – providing free chicken feed in abundance!
By feeding these scraps to your chickens, you’ll save a considerable amount on chicken feed costs. Furthermore, it’s an excellent way to maintain the aesthetic of your garden and keep those backyard chickens contented.
