Powerful Advice On How To Feed Your Chickens

Sevelx | February 15, 2016 | Chickens

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Keeping chickens in your backyard is not only an enjoyable pastime but also a great way to get high protein natural eggs for your family. One of the ways to ensure that your chickens stay as healthy as possible is to grow your own feed.

Bagged chicken food is often loaded with things that are not so good for your chickens and often the feed is genetically modified. Chickens left to fend for themselves in the open would eat things like green plants, wild seeds, earthworms and insects.

However, when you grow your own food you can be sure that your hens are getting the very best and will produce the very best eggs for you and your family. Not to mention the fact that you will save money if you make your own feed.

The best diet for a chicken consists of 30% pasture grasses and legumes and 12%-18% protein.

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Sprouted Grains and Seeds

The process of sprouting releases protein and nutrients that are in dry grains and seeds. This makes protein and nutrients much more digestible for humans and chickens. This cost-effective way to feed your flock is great during the fall, winter and spring. You can make a quart or more of nutrient dense sprouts with just one tablespoon of sprouts. Sprouts take about 3-6 days to make depending on the variety.

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Potatoes

Chickens love potatoes and they are chalk full of vitamin B6, and also contain thiamine, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and riboflavin. Potatoes are a complex carbohydrate that will supply plenty of energy for your flock. Just be sure to cook the potatoes before giving them to your birds.

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What Not To Feed Your Chickens

While you may think your chickens have an iron stomach, there are a number of things that you should not feed your flock under any circumstance including:

Nightshades: Plants from the nightshade family including uncooked potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants

Salty foods: Too much salt can cause salt toxicity or hypernatremia. Chickens are not able to digest large amounts of salt so keep this in mind as you feed your chickens.

Citrus: Some types of chickens are very sensitive to vitamin C and it can cause excessive feather plucking.

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Candy, sugar, chocolate: Adding sugar and chocolate, in particular to your chicken’s diet can cause tremendous digestive problems. It is best to avoid it at all costs.

Once you get the hang of feeding your chickens food that you have grown, you will ensure that their health is the best it can be. They will produce healthy eggs that taste great and are full of nutrition. Remember… happy chickens make healthy eggs!