Commercial feeds can be expensive and contain fillers that may harm your chickens. Grow your own feed at home to save money and improve the wellbeing of your flock.
Chickens enjoy eating a variety of plants, such as spinach, lettuce and broccoli. These easy-to-grow plants require minimal effort from you on your part for maximum enjoyment for your feathered friend.
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Grass
Grass provides chickens with protein and fiber in addition to essential vitamins and minerals needed for their wellbeing.
Alfalfa and clover are popular grasses for chickens that can easily be grown. Alfalfa also contains omega-3 fatty acids which benefit both chickens and their eggs.
Clover is an excellent source of protein and nutrients for chickens, making it a particularly suitable option in colder climates.
In addition to eating grass, chickens can also enjoy a forage box filled with sprouted grass and legume seeds. These seeds make an excellent treat for chickens and provide them with essential vitamins and nutrients that they cannot get from grass alone.
Grit
Grit is a type of crushed granite used by chickens to break down their food and digest it more easily. This grind down occurs primarily in their gizzards, where it can be digested and absorbed by the bird.
When providing your chickens with grit, the type of mix depends on their age and stage in life. Generally, young chicks and pullets require a coarse mix.
Once they reach adulthood, they require a more finely ground grit. This may consist of oyster shell and other minerals.
Make sure the mix you purchase does not contain added calcium, as this is not necessary for chicks or pullets and could damage their kidneys if given in an inconsistent form. To prevent this from occurring, offer it separately in a different container.
According to a recent study conducted by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth, people with high levels of grit are more likely to reach their goals and lead contented lives than those with higher IQs or talent. This capacity for perseverance can truly set you apart in the world; it’s what sets grit apart.
Eggshells
Eggshells provide backyard chickens with an important source of calcium, which helps supplement their diet. This nutrient is necessary for the development of strong eggshells.
Egg shells can be dried and crushed into a powder, which can then be added to bird food supplements as an add-on ingredient. They may also be sprinkled directly on soil as part of a foliar spray for enhanced calcium absorption.
Alternatively, you can crush eggshells and add them to your compost pile. Doing so helps the shells break down into useful minerals, reducing the time it takes for them to become a useful resource.
Make eggshell tea to fertilize water plants or apply as a foliar spray that will aid in faster calcium absorption by leaves. This is an excellent alternative to commercial fertilizers which may contain harmful chemicals for your plants.
Grains
Grains are harvested seeds of grasses (Poaceae). Examples include wheat, barley, oats, rye and corn; they provide essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and some minerals. Grains have become an integral part of many cultures around the world.
Whole grains are an integral part of a nutritious diet, yet can often be hard to get enough of them. On average, we consume around 48 percent of our calories from grains each day.
Grains are not only essential to our diets, but they’re also used in the production of cooking oils, fuels and cosmetics. In America alone, we consume roughly half our grain supply for these purposes.
Eating more whole grains can have positive effects on our health, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, some research suggests that consuming whole grains may actually reduce inflammation within the body.
