If you want to raise organic chickens, you may wonder how to make your own chicken feed. There are many ways to make homemade organic chicken feed. The first option is to look for ingredients that are certified organic. These ingredients should also be free from questionable substances such as soybean, which has high levels of phyto-estrogen, or fish meal, which contains high levels of mercury. Fortunately, there are plenty of good ingredients in homemade organic chicken feed. Here are some of the most important points to remember:
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Ingredients in organic chicken feed
Before you start mixing up your homemade organic chicken feed, it’s important to understand what your hens need. Egg laying chickens have similar protein requirements as broilers, but they will need additional vitamins and minerals to thrive. Young chicks are particularly difficult to mix, because they are still growing and require more protein. You can include treats and multivitamins, but they tend to cost more. You’ll also need to purchase a variety of organic ingredients to include in your homemade organic chicken feed.
While commercial feed is often healthier and fresher, homemade organic chicken feed is usually more nutritious. Try to stay away from soy and fish meal, which are both common in commercial feed. You can also feed your chickens vegetables scraps and growing grasses and bugs. These ingredients are also free from GMOs and pesticides. This means you can give them a better diet and save money in the process. However, remember that if you’re not comfortable with the cost of homemade organic chicken feed, you can always buy the commercial ones.
Nutritional value
Commercially available chicken feed contains GMO corn, a carbohydrate that has little nutritional value. Its main purpose is to increase the energy level of your chickens without supplying them with anything useful. Your chickens can survive the winter months by eating this type of corn feed, but in summer and autumn, you should give them something that is rich in nutritional value. In winter, it is wise to supplement their diet with fresh corn to ensure that they stay active and warm.
If you decide to make your own organic chicken feed, make sure to select only the best ingredients for your flock. Try to avoid soy, as it has a high level of phyto-estrogens. Avoid fish meal, as it can contain high amounts of mercury. However, there are a variety of ingredients that you can include in your homemade feed, such as kelp and millet. Sunflower seeds are another great source of protein and contain magnesium and copper. Brewer’s yeast is another important ingredient in your chicken feed. You can buy animal grade brewer’s yeast at a lower price than human-grade.
Storeability
Making your own homemade organic chicken feed is an excellent choice for home poultry owners. It can be more cost-effective than commercial feed, since you have control over the ingredients. The fresher the homemade feed, the better, because the nutrients are retained. You can use kelp powder, oyster shell, and Aragonite to increase the calcium content. You can also add vitamin E and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to your homemade organic chicken feed.
However, buying high quality chicken feed can be costly, particularly for first-time homesteaders. Scratch and Peck, a high-quality organic non-GMO feed, can run you $40 for 25 lbs. So, if you don’t mind the cost of your feed, making your own poultry feed is probably the best option. Plus, you’ll be able to source ingredients without worrying about GMO content, which is crucial when raising your poultry.
Fermentation process
When it comes to homemade organic chicken feed, there are many benefits to fermentation. The whole grain nutrition is extended through fermentation, and the bacteria added to the feed promote gut health. Not only does this process increase the nutritional value of the feed, but it also reduces the waste. This method of feeding chickens is easy and a cost-effective method of ensuring a healthy flock. Here’s how it works.
Start by mixing the grains, seeds, and legumes in water without chemical additives. If possible, add a little bit of dry bran as well. Mix the dry feed in the ferment container and add water to cover it completely. Keep stirring the feed daily until it has a sweet smell. If you notice any mold, toss the mixture and start a new batch. The fermented feed will continue to grow and multiply.
