Organic chicken feed is an excellent way to ensure that your flock gets all of the essential vitamins and nutrients it requires while supporting local farmers and being environmentally-friendly.
Natural chicken feed can be made up of various materials, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs – and is more nutritious than commercial feed.
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Hay
Hay is an excellent natural source of protein, calcium and vitamins A-K; essential elements for chicken development, growth and egg production.
Growing wheat grass usually involves cutting it a few inches above the soil surface and leaving it to dry on its own before baling into round bales for storage.
Meat
Meat can provide chickens with essential sources of protein and is often seen as a delicious treat, yet it should always be handled carefully to prevent contamination with bacteria that could lead to food poisoning and health complications for their birds.
When providing meat to your flock, ensure it is fresh and cut into small pieces for best results. Meat left exposed can become hazardous to their health if left out for too long and could even put the animals’ lives in jeopardy.
Milk
Milk offers many nutritional advantages for chicken feed. In addition to protein and calcium benefits, its fat portion (milkfat globules) also contains many of the vitamins and minerals needed by chickens.
Milk shouldn’t be the sole protein source in chicken feed; rather, meats, grains and seeds should all be included for optimal nutrition.
Eggs
Eggs provide chickens with an essential source of protein and may help ease stress or aid recovery from illness.
Egg yolks contain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to ensuring the cardiovascular and immune systems work optimally, as well as providing benefits to eyesight and pregnancy.
Feeding flaxseed to your hens can help them produce eggs full of omega-3 fatty acids, but beware not to overfeed it, as too much flaxseed could result in production drops, small eggs, and reduced body weight gain in them.
Fruits & Vegetables
Fresh, raw fruits and vegetables provide your chickens with something new to try while also providing extra sources of vitamins and nutrients. Berries and melons make tasty snacks while providing your birds with more vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Vegetables such as lettuce, kale, turnip greens and chard are excellent treats for chickens. Dark leafy greens such as these contain essential vitamins and minerals which make these treats especially good for their wellbeing.
Berries
Berry fruits provide your chickens with essential natural nutrition. Packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote overall wellness in their bodies.
Berrys are rich in fiber, helping promote digestive health in chickens. However, chickens should only receive berries in moderation.
Blueberries make an excellent fruit choice for chickens, being packed with vitamin C and potassium as well as manganese and phosphorus – essential elements to their wellbeing.
