BEST chicken feed recipe, ever.

vavavroom said:

Ronda's Whole Grain Chicken Feed Recipe

That said, here is the recipe that I devised in '99 and have been improving with additions, but using the ingredients in more or less the same ratio since 1999. Note that all items are whole grains, and certified organic. If you are looking for the cheapest feed, this isn't it. If you are looking for a healthy, natural feed for your flock, this is one way to go!

*** It's not necessary to follow this recipe exactly... just make sure your birds are getting enough protein, which is predominant in the hard red wheat and the legumes. Free-range birds usually find plenty of protein from bugs, etc.

2 parts whole corn (in winter this is increased to 3 or 4 parts)
3 parts soft white wheat
3 parts hard red winter wheat
1 part hulled barley
1 part oat groats
1 part sunflower seeds (in winter this is increased to 2 parts)
1 part millet
1 part kamut
1 part amaranth seeds
1 part split peas
1 part lentils
1 part quinoa
1 part sesame seeds
1/2 part flax seeds
1/2 part kelp granules
free choice of granite grit
free choice of oyster shell

Click to expand...

vavavroom said:

I just want to thank Greener Pastures for this chicken feed recipe.


I had been feeding them commercial layer feed and treats.  The first eggs didn't taste that good - they looked great, but their taste wasn't kinda gross.  So, I bought all of the whole grains from the recipe below and have mixed up a small batch.  The girls love it AND their eggs taste completely different and SO much better.  It's a completely different egg.  (My hens also free range during the day.)  I am more convinced now than ever that you are what you eat! 


The grains are a little expensive, but you can order them in bulk, and it's completely worth the expense.  DELICIOUS.


RECIPE BELOW:
http://www.greenerpasturesfarm.com/ChickenFeedRecipe.html


"Ronda's Whole Grain Chicken Feed Recipe


That said, here is the recipe that I devised in '99 and have been improving with additions, but using the ingredients in more or less the same ratio since 1999.  Note that all items are whole grains, and certified organic.  If you are looking for the cheapest feed, this isn't it.  If you are looking for a healthy, natural feed for your flock, this is one way to go! 


***  It's not necessary to follow this recipe exactly...  just make sure your birds are getting enough protein, which is predominant in the hard red wheat and the legumes.  Free-range birds usually find plenty of protein from bugs, etc.


2 parts whole corn (in winter this is increased to 3 or 4 parts)

3 parts soft white wheat

3 parts hard red winter wheat

1 part hulled barley

1 part oat groats

1 part sunflower seeds (in winter this is increased to 2 parts)

1 part millet

1 part kamut

1 part amaranth seeds

1 part split peas

1 part lentils

1 part quinoa

1 part sesame seeds

1/2 part flax seeds

1/2 part kelp granules

free choice of granite grit

free choice of oyster shell"

Click to expand...

Heidigirl said:

Azure standard has a lot of grain reasonably priced.

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luvmygirlsinAK said:

No, it is not cheaper, but your eggs will be worth their weight in gold!  J/k!  Actually, unless you really know what is in your organic layer feed, it would be strictly for your good health, and for those of us who can get a high price ($6.00 or more) per dozen eggs for a high quality health product (and be able to name what is on the label of the eggs you are selling (people want to know what you feed them, and they will be your customer for life, if they are sold on your product) 


If you find that your organic layer feed has soybeans in it, I would read up on the info about what soybeans does to humans, and animals.  It causes most people and animals to have too much estrogen, and then the animals burn out very fast.  So this could be a reason to make your own organic feed, as the estrogen from the soybeans will transfer to the egg, to you, is what I have read.


When starting out changing your chickens diet, you will need to do it slowly, and be sure they have plenty of granite grit to grind up whole grains.  Even better yet is to soak or sprout the grains and give them to them on a daily basis.  When my chickens get plenty of protein, that is when they are the most prolific layers.  Soaking and particularly sprouting the grains makes them much higher in protein.

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