Hey there, chicken lovers! Have you ever wondered what goes into your chickens’ food? Making your own chicken feed can be a fun project that helps you learn about what chickens need to eat. Let’s explore how to create a simple homemade chicken feed mix!
Why Make Your Own Chicken Feed?
Before we start, let’s talk about why you might want to make your own chicken feed:
- You know exactly what’s in it, so you can avoid GMO and non-organic ingredients.
- It can be cheaper than store-bought feed, depending on the prices that you can get locally.
- You can adjust it based on what your chickens like
- It’s a cool science experiment!
What Chickens Need in Their Diet
Chickens need a mix of different things in their food to stay healthy:
- Protein: Helps chickens grow and make eggs
- Carbohydrates: Gives chickens energy
- Vitamins and minerals: Keeps chickens healthy
- Calcium: Important for strong eggshells
Chickens require a balanced diet to stay healthy and productive. Here’s a simple explanation of the key nutrients and vitamins chickens need daily:
Chickens need protein to build strong muscles and produce eggs. They also require carbohydrates for energy. Fats are important too, helping chickens absorb certain vitamins. Speaking of vitamins, chickens need several, including Vitamin A for good eyesight and a healthy immune system, Vitamin D for strong bones, and Vitamin E to protect their cells. B vitamins are crucial for turning food into energy. Chickens also need minerals like calcium for strong eggshells and bones, phosphorus for healthy bones, and selenium to keep their immune system strong. They need some salt too, just like we do. Lastly, clean, fresh water is super important – chickens drink a lot to stay hydrated and healthy. A well-balanced chicken feed usually contains all these nutrients, but some chicken keepers like to supplement with treats like leafy greens or mealworms for extra nutrition and variety.
Ingredients for Your Homemade Chicken Feed
Here’s a list of things you can use in your chicken feed mix:
- Cracked corn: 40% (5 cups out of 12.5 total)
- Wheat: 24% (3 cups out of 12.5 total)
- Oats: 16% (2 cups out of 12.5 total)
- Sunflower seeds: 8% (1 cup out of 12.5 total)
- Peas or lentils: 8% (1 cup out of 12.5 total)
- Crushed oyster shells: 4% (0.5 cups out of 12.5 total)
Mix all these ingredients in your big container. This makes enough for about a week for 3-4 chickens.
How to Mix Your Chicken Feed
Now, let’s put it all together!
- Get a big bucket or container
- Measure out your ingredients
- Mix everything together
- Store in a dry, cool place
Tips for Feeding Your Chickens
- Start with a little bit of your new mix at first
- Watch to see which parts your chickens like best
- Change the recipe if you need to
- Always have fresh water available for your chickens
Fun Additions to Try
Want to give your chickens a treat? Try adding these sometimes:
- Dried mealworms (chickens love these!)
- Chopped vegetables
- Fruit pieces (but not too much)
Conclusion
Making your own chicken feed is a great way to learn about what chickens eat and how to take care of them. It’s like being a chicken chef! Remember, it might take some time to get the perfect mix, so don’t worry if you need to make changes. Your chickens will let you know what they like best!
Happy feeding, chicken friends!
External resources:
- Cinnamon: A Natural Feed Additive for Poultry Health and Production—A Review
- Animal Feed: See, Touch, and Do
- Rice Bran as an Alternative Feedstuff in Broiler Nutrition
- Village Chicken Production Handbook
- How to Feed Fowls: A Treatise on the Proper Foods for Poultry, From the Shell to Maturity, For Laying or Breeding Stock, and for Exhibition or Market Purposes. The Kind, Quality, and Amount Fully Described