The Beginner’s Guide to Making A Balanced DIY Chicken Feed Mix
Buying commercial chicken feed can be expensive. Tired of store-bought chicken feed? That’s why making your own chicken feed is a smart choice.
But how to make organic homemade chicken feed mix? Gather ingredients like corn, oats, soybeans, fish meal or bone meal, grit, salt, and others. Mix equal parts of the grains, and add the protein sources and minerals. Store the feed in a cool, dry place using an airtight container to keep it fresh. This method provides a balanced, nutritious diet for your chickens.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to make high-quality chicken feed at home. This will ensure your chickens get the best diet possible. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Understanding Chicken Nutrition for Feeding
It’s essential to provide your chickens with the right balance of nutrients at each stage. So, here to help you know the nutritional requirements for chickens based on their age and size/purpose:
| Nutrient | Chick Starter (0-6 weeks) | Pullet Grower (7-18 weeks) | Layer (19 weeks+) | Broiler (Meat Production) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 18-20% | 16-18% | 16-18% | 20-22% |
| Calcium | 0.9-1.1% | 0.8-1.1% | 3.25-4.5% | 0.8-1% |
| Phosphorus | 0.6-0.8% | 0.6-0.8% | 0.35-0.45% | 0.6-0.8% |
| Methionine | 0.40% | 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.40% |
| Linoleic Acid | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Energy (kcal/lb) | 1300-1400 | 1300-1400 | 1300-1400 | 1350-1450 |
How to Make DIY Chicken Feed? 5 Step-by-step Guide
Making your own chicken feed at home is a cost-effective solution. So, why not give it a try when you have a limited budget? Let’s learn the guide to the DIY chicken feed process of formulating, preparing, and storing.
Step 1: Understanding Chicken Nutrition
Before diving into feed formulation, it’s essential to understand the nutritional needs of your chickens. Their dietary requirements vary based on age, breed, and purpose (egg production or meat production).
However, the primary nutrients chickens require are.
- Carbohydrates (Energy): Grains like corn, wheat, and oats provide the necessary energy for growth, activity, and egg production.
- Protein: Essential for muscle development, feather growth, and egg production. Soybean meal, fishmeal, and peas are excellent protein sources.
- Calcium: Crucial for strong eggshells and bone health. Oyster shells and limestone are rich in calcium.
- Vitamins and Minerals: A commercial vitamin and mineral premix ensures your chickens receive all essential micronutrients.
- Probiotics: Supports digestive health and nutrient absorption.
But wait! How much to include such ingredients in chicken feed?
You’re absolutely right to ask about the specific amounts or ratios of these nutrients that should be included in chicken feed.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Protein
- Chick Starter (0-6 weeks): 18-20% protein
- Pullet Grower (7-18 weeks): 16-18% protein
- Layers (19 weeks+): 16-18% protein
- Broilers (meat production): 20-22% protein
Calcium
- Chick Starter: 0.9-1.1%
- Pullet Grower: 0.8-1.1%
- Layers: 3.25-4.5% (higher for strong eggshells)
- Broilers: 0.8-1%
Energy (calories from carbohydrates/fats):
- Approx 1300-1400 kcal/lb for starters, growers, layers
- 1350-1450 kcal/lb for broilers
Other nutrients
- Phosphorus: Around 0.6-0.8% for starters/growers, 0.35-0.45% for layers
- Methionine (amino acid): 0.4% for starters/broilers, 0.35% for growers/layers
- Linoleic Acid (Omega-6 fat): Around 1% across life stages
However, it’s just a general point of view to make homemade chicken feed.
Step 2: Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Feed
When formulating your own chicken feed, you’ll need a combination of the following ingredients.
- Grains: Corn, wheat, oats, and barley provide carbohydrates and energy.
- Protein Sources: Soybean meal, fishmeal, and peas are excellent protein sources.
- Calcium Sources: Oyster shells and limestone are rich in calcium for eggshell formation.
- Supplements: Vitamin and mineral premixes, as well as probiotics, ensure a well-rounded diet.
Step 3: Formulating Your Own Chicken Feed Recipe
Creating a balanced feed recipe involves calculating the correct ratios of ingredients based on your chickens’ age, breed, and purpose. Here’s how to approach feed formulation:
- Determine Nutritional Requirements: Refer to the nutritional requirements chart for the specific stage of your chickens (starter, grower, layer, or broiler).
- Calculate Ingredient Ratios: Use a feed formulation spreadsheet or calculator to balance the ingredients according to the required levels of protein, calcium, energy, and other nutrients.
- Sample Recipes: Use the provided sample recipes for starter, grower, and layer feeds as a starting point, adjusting as needed.
- Adjust for Specific Needs: Increase protein levels for molting hens or energy levels (more corn) during the winter months to help chickens stay warm.
Step 4: Preparing and Storing Homemade Chicken Feed
Once you’ve formulated your recipe, it’s time to prepare and store the feed properly:
- Grinding Grains: Larger grains like corn might need grinding into a coarse meal for easier consumption, especially for younger chicks.
- Mixing Ingredients: Thoroughly mix all ingredients in a clean container to ensure an even distribution of nutrients.
- Storage Techniques: Store the feed in airtight containers or bags, away from moisture and pests, in a cool, dry place (ideally below 80°F or 27°C). Discard any moldy or spoiled feed.
Related Read: 6 Ways to Feed Your Chickens Free
Step 5: Feeding Guidelines
Follow these guidelines for feeding your homemade broiler chicken feed:
- Feeding Amount: Give your chickens enough to keep them comfortably full throughout the day without excess waste. A general rule is 1/4 to 1/3 pound (113-170g) of feed per bird per day for hens.
- Feeding Frequency: Offer to feed multiple times a day, allowing your chickens to graze throughout the day. Chicks require more frequent feedings compared to adult hens.
- Water Availability: Always ensure fresh, clean water is available to your flock.
I suggest taking some advice from the following video as well. It’s showing much easier to make the balanced chicken feed mix.
FAQs
Take some other advice from the Q&A section about homemade chicken feed.
Q. Is making my own chicken feed cheaper than buying commercial feed?
It depends. While you can save money on ingredients in bulk, buying individual components and supplements can add up.
Q. Do I need any special equipment to make chicken feed?
Not necessarily. You can mix ingredients in a large tub. However, grinders or feeders can be helpful for some components.
Q. How long will homemade feed stay fresh?
Store your mix in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Properly stored feed can last for several weeks, but it’s best to make batches that your flock will consume quickly.
Q. Can I use kitchen scraps in my chicken feed?
Yes, in moderation! Offer them chopped vegetables, fruits (avoid citrus), and cooked (not oily) grains. However, these shouldn’t be their main source of nutrition.
Q. Should I consult a veterinarian or poultry specialist before making my own feed?
It’s a good idea, especially for beginners. They can help you create a recipe suited to your specific flock and advise on potential deficiencies.
However, our pieces of advice are enough to help you out! Don’t worry!
Final Word
In my experience, making your own chicken feed has been incredibly rewarding and cost-effective. By taking the time to understand my flock’s nutritional needs, prepare recipes, and follow proper storage techniques.
With just a bit of effort and the right ingredients, you’ll gain control over what chickens eat while also saving money in the long run. Embracing the journey of making homemade feed has not only been fulfilling but also making them healthy, absolutely worth it!
