How to Make Your Own Poultry Feed

A well-rounded diet is crucial to keep chickens healthy.

Chickens are similar to humans in their nutritional needs. A healthy diet must contain variety in order to be beneficial. Left to their own devices, chickens will eat bugs, grains and plants; this is how chickens should be fed by their owners. No one food is a sufficient mainstay -- there must be a balance in order to maintain the chicken's health and ability to lay eggs.

Instructions

1. Include greens in the chickens' diet. Incorporate them through grass shavings, weeds and vegetables chopped very small.

2. Include living, whole grains. Many feeds include kennelled grains because they are less expensive and less susceptible to spoiling. The closer grains are to their natural form, the better they are for the birds. Oats, barley, wheat, alfalfa and rye are all excellent additions to your chickens' diet.

3. Include protein. In summer, chickens get enough protein from pecking for bugs and worms. In cooler weather, add extra protein to their diet by purchasing worms and bugs from pet or feed stores. Soybeans are a good source of protein for chickens, too.

4. Provide water. This water is not intended to be mixed with the food, but provided as part of a balanced diet. Because chickens can be lazy, place water dishes inside the coop and outside so when thirst hits, they don't have to go far to quench it.

Tips & Warnings

• Milk can be used as a protein source. It can be given to the chickens in place of water for half the day and replaced with water for the rest.

• Do not allow the grain to get wet. This creates mold, which can cause your chickens to become sick and possibly die.

References

• The Basics of What Chickens Need
• Healthy Chicken Feed Mix
• Feeding Whole Grains to Chickens