As feed costs soar, chicken keepers increasingly seek affordable alternatives to commercial feeds. The surge in rising chicken prices has led many poultrymen to explore DIY options for feeding their flocks.
While commercial organic feeds can cost upwards of $30 per 50-pound bag, homemade alternatives often prove more economical.
Beyond cost savings, DIY feeds allow for greater control over ingredients, ensuring chickens receive optimal nutrition tailored to their needs. There are a lot of nutritious options beyond the feed store.
Here are 18 creative, budget-friendly ways to keep your flock well-fed without breaking the bank, transforming your coop into a gourmet buffet.
1. Kitchen Scraps
Turn your kitchen waste into a chicken feast. Vegetable peelings, fruit cores, and leftover grains are all fair game for your feathered friends. Just avoid foods that are toxic to chickens, like avocado pits and raw beans.
Chickens love variety, and kitchen scraps provide a smorgasbord of nutrients. This method not only feeds your flock but also reduces household waste.
2. Grow Greens
Plant a chicken garden filled with nutrient-rich greens like kale, Swiss chard, and spinach. These leafy vegetables are easy to grow and provide essential vitamins for your chickens.
Chickens can eat both the leaves and stems of most greens. By growing your own, you ensure a constant supply of fresh, organic food for your flock.
3. Compost Pile
Create a compost pile in your chicken run. As it decomposes, it will attract insects and worms, providing a protein-rich snack bar for your chickens.
The compost pile serves double duty: it feeds your chickens and creates rich soil for your garden. Your chickens will love scratching through the pile, exercising their natural foraging instincts.
4. Free-Range
Allow your chickens to free-range in a safe area. They’ll find insects, seeds, and plants to supplement their diet naturally.
Free-ranging chickens are healthier and happier. They get exercise, fresh air, and a varied diet. Just be sure to protect them from predators.
5. Sprout Seeds
Sprout grains like wheat, barley, or oats for a nutritious and inexpensive feed option. Sprouting increases the nutrient content and makes the grains more digestible for chickens.
Sprouting is easy and can be done year-round. It’s a great way to provide fresh, living food for your chickens even in winter.
6. Fermented Feed
Ferment your chicken feed to increase its nutritional value and make it more filling. This process can reduce the amount of feed your chickens consume while improving their gut health.
Fermentation is simple: just soak the feed in water for a few days until it starts to bubble. The fermented feed is packed with probiotics and is easier for chickens to digest.
7. Mealworms
Raise your own mealworms as a protein-rich treat for your chickens. Mealworms are easy to cultivate and chickens love them.
Mealworms are high in protein and can be raised in a small space with minimal effort. Your chickens will come running when they hear the mealworm container rattle!
8. Sunflower Seeds
Plant a patch of sunflowers and let your chickens harvest the seeds themselves. Sunflower seeds are high in protein and healthy fats.
Sunflowers are beautiful and functional. As they grow, they provide shade for your chickens. When the flowers mature, your flock can jump up and peck at the seed heads for a natural snack.
9. Herbs
Grow herbs like oregano, thyme, and mint for your chickens. Many herbs have medicinal properties and can boost your chickens’ immune systems.
Herbs not only provide nutrition but also make the coop smell nice. Some herbs, like mint, can even help repel pests.
10. Fodder
Grow fodder (sprouted grains) as a nutritious feed supplement. Fodder is easy to produce and provides living greens year-round.
Fodder systems can be set up indoors, allowing you to grow fresh feed even in winter. Your chickens will love the fresh, juicy sprouts.
11. Worm Farm
Start a worm farm to produce both worms and nutrient-rich castings for your chickens. Worms are a protein-packed treat that chickens adore.
Worm farming is low-maintenance and produces two valuable resources: worms for chicken snacks and castings for garden fertilizer.
12. Fruit Trees
Plant fruit trees in or near your chicken run. Fallen fruit provides a sweet treat for your chickens and attracts insects for them to eat.
Fruit trees offer shade, food, and entertainment for your chickens. Just be sure to limit fruit consumption, as too much can cause digestive issues.
13. Grass Clippings
Save your lawn clippings to feed your chickens. Fresh grass is full of nutrients and mimics what chickens would eat in the wild.
Grass clippings are free and readily available if you have a lawn. Just make sure the grass hasn’t been treated with chemicals.
14. Soldier Fly Larvae
Set up a black soldier fly larvae composting system. These protein-rich grubs are self-harvesting and chickens love them.
Black soldier fly larvae will consume your food scraps and then crawl out of their bin right into your chicken run. It’s an efficient system for converting waste into chicken feed.
15. Acorns
Collect acorns in the fall for a nutritious chicken treat. Acorns are high in protein and fat, making them an excellent supplement to your chickens’ diet.
Acorns should be crushed or soaked before feeding to make them easier for chickens to eat. Just be sure to introduce acorns gradually to avoid digestive upset.
16. Pumpkins
Grow pumpkins or squash for your chickens. The seeds are high in protein, and the flesh provides vitamins and entertainment.
Pumpkins are easy to grow and store well. In the fall, you can toss whole pumpkins into the chicken run for your flock to peck at.
17. Alfalfa Hay
Offer alfalfa hay as a nutritious supplement. Alfalfa is high in protein and provides entertainment as chickens scratch through it.
Alfalfa hay can be hung in nets or scattered on the ground. It’s especially valuable in winter when other greens are scarce.
18. Eggshells
Don’t throw away those eggshells! Crush them up and feed them back to your chickens for a calcium boost.
Eggshells are a free source of calcium that helps your hens produce strong shells. Just be sure to crush them well so your chickens don’t associate them with eggs.
Feeding chickens doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. By implementing these 18 creative strategies, you can significantly reduce your feed expenses while providing a diverse and nutritious diet for your flock.
Read Next:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.