Self Sustaining Chicken Feed?

[dalmation1080]

I have been thinking about growing food for my chickens next year. Feed is so expensive (About 15-18 bucks a bag) and I go through over a bag a week. I would like to grow some plants next year to at least help in feeding them so I go through less feed. Does anyone have any recommendations on crops to grow for chickens/ducks/pigeons? I do want them to loose on any nutrients. Does anyone currently "Self-Sustain" their flock by growing crops?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Most any grains, and Corn, Peas,...etc.
Read the ingredient labels on good feeds for ideas

You're going to need a LOT of it though, along with supplemental vitamins and minerals

At your current rate of use, it's over 2600 lbs per year, so you'll probably need to plant several acres

 

[nguyenkinhphuc2]

I feed them mixture of grain, which I buy from grain mill for around $4-$8 per bushel, and layer chicken feed. I also supply them green stuff from my yard / garden which is high in protein. So far, these are the one I know:

Dandelion
Greater plantain
Sorrel

Sweet Potato Leave

If you know any plant leaves that are high in protein, please post.

 

[Bullitt]

I have been thinking about growing food for my chickens next year. Feed is so expensive (About 15-18 bucks a bag) and I go through over a bag a week. I would like to grow some plants next year to at least help in feeding them so I go through less feed. Does anyone have any recommendations on crops to grow for chickens/ducks/pigeons? I do want them to loose on any nutrients. Does anyone currently "Self-Sustain" their flock by growing crops?

As mentioned, you can buy grain pretty cheap from a grain mill. And if you are allowing your chickens to free range, they get most of the nutrients they need.

You can grow alfalfa, corn, wheat, or other grains to feed to your chickens.

I was reading that acorns can be used for chicken feed. You put acorns in something like a burlap bag and smash the acorns. Then put the acorns in something like a 5-gallon bucket of water with holes punched in the lid. Let the acorns soak for a couple hours, and then turn the bucket over. You do this about three or four times until the water is pretty clear to wash out the acid that is bad for chickens. Then give the acorns to chickens and they will pick the meat out of the shells. It just takes a little work to turn free acorns into feed. I would not use acorns for more than half of a chicken's diet.