Whole grains mix to supplement free ranging

[BrianV]

So, currently my flock is free ranging ~12 hours per day. They have layer pellets freely available in the coop, but they spend all day outside, and rarely come in to eat. It's basically there for early morning.

I've been reading about FF, and am giving it a shot. However, I'm wondering if, since they are outside all day anyways, whether it's worth moving away from the layer feed to a whole grain-based feed. I'd ideally like to keep the list of grains I mix short.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[BrianV]

Would just getting a generic scratch feed work? I know they are low protein, but I'm assuming the chickens are getting a bunch from outside.

 

[PirateGirl]

Your reasons for wanting to switch to a whole grain feed will determine if it's worth it. For their health? For financial reasons? To be more natural? To cut out corn/soy? There are many good recipes online. Honestly my search for feed recipes on Pinterest turned up the best/most relevant results. You can always try it for awhile and switch back if it doesn't work out for you. How much feed you go through/number of birds will certainly impact how viable this option is as well as accessibility of the grains.

 

[BrianV]

Your reasons for wanting to switch to a whole grain feed will determine if it's worth it. For their health? For financial reasons? To be more natural? To cut out corn/soy? There are many good recipes online. Honestly my search for feed recipes on Pinterest turned up the best/most relevant results. You can always try it for awhile and switch back if it doesn't work out for you. How much feed you go through/number of birds will certainly impact how viable this option is as well as accessibility of the grains.

The main reason is really just health, plus I'd prefer to ferment whole grains rather than the pellets, which turn into mush (and dry into bricks).

As for recipes, sure - but most I've seen are composed of 10+ ingredients, many of which may or may not be available locally. Plus, many seem to be aiming at being complete feeds, which may or may not make sense since the hens do a lot of foraging anyways. I was hoping someone could point out a decent 2-3 ingredient mix that would be a good supplement to their foraging and was easily fermentable.

 

[PirateGirl]

Gotcha... I will peruse the links I have saved.

 

[PirateGirl]

https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2016/06/homemade-chicken-feed-recipe.html#comments

https://thefrugalchicken.com/organi...&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

[lazy gardener]

Unless you add a vitamin/mineral nutribalancer and a protein supplement, you run the risk of your birds being nutritionally depleted. IMO there is no financial benefit to mixing your own feeds. For that matter, a bag of scratch grains at 8% protein cost as much as a balanced bag of layer pellets.

I would stick with the blended feed, and enjoy the financial savings you receive from them being on good free range (if that is the case) and the nutritional benefit and cost savings of fermenting their balanced feed.