Scratch grains are a mix of seeds and contain a large portion of cracked corn. You can grow thyme in your herb bed and allow your chickens to forage freely, or harvest it and hang it upside down in the coop for a fresh-smelling treat. You can also cut and carry the harvest directly to your chickens, too. Your chickens can snack on the larvae of those pollinators, or they can eat the fruit of the tree (as well as the leaves) once it matures. Dandelions are considered a weed by many, but if you have a homestead, you probably know how valuable these tiny little flowers can be. The grains from this plant are used to make sorghum flour, a gluten-free alternative that is often used in baking. Turk’s Poultry is a family-owned and managed business which is vertically integrated from rearing birds to sales anddispatch of “supermarket-shelf-ready” poultry meat products. Feeding those chickens doesn’t have to be hard, or even expensive. This plant grows a lot like corn, and while it can’t be grown everywhere, you will have some happy chickens if you are able to grow it where you live. A would assume you would just want any kind of field corn (or dent) you could get your hands on. It even contains lots of vitamin A and B12 to support healthy yolks. The basics are the sa… Another great insect repellent, this bright yellow-orange flower is known to be one of the best garden companions out there. Cool-season, full-sun annual. Only keep the chickens you need – if you are raising chickens for eggs, make sure all of your chickens are good egg producers – don’t waste money raising ornamental breeds like Silkies if you are only raising them for production. To grow cover crops as chicken feed, simply plant them before your first frost date. Fennel plants not only attract beneficial butterfly larvae and other helpful insects, but they provide valuable chicken feed, too. I had chickens growing up and. If, overall, it saves me a few bucks, and gives them more variety, I'm happy. You will want to cover the seeds by at least 2 inches of water, Drain well and spread seeds on baking sheet or dehydrator tray. In the past, I've read about people growing their own chicken feed, but it was generally never cost effective. Your chickens will get a good dose of carbohydrates, eating the grains directly off the plant. Late cabbages can be started in mid summer, and seedlings planted 12 inches apart. If you have the space to do so, consider planting a crabapple tree. STARTER RATIONS: Young chicks require a diet rich in protein and certain vitamins, with a carefully balanced mineral content. You can harvest the berries to feed directly to your chickens, or you can let them graze among the bushes. (Warning: Hi-jacked by Em), Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures, Thankful Thursday. Myth: Chickens need sweaters. Cover crops are often planted to fix nitrogen, improve soil quality, and hold moisture. Instead of serving food free choice, only give out a half a pound a day per chicken. You can feed lemon balm fresh as a chicken treat or dry it to use it in the nest boxes, sprinkled on the feed, or as a toy. As cold-season crops, they grow best in the spring and fall. I would think anything edible to humans is also edible to poultry, but I don't know. If you have it, you may be able to transplant it to a more desirable location. Oregano is believed to help improve immune functioning in a variety of creatures – humans and chickens included. Or is it getting away from hatcheries? There are studies currently being conducted that suggest that oregano can help fight avian flu, e. coli, coccidiosis, and salmonella. You can give the chickens a cut pumpkin fresh from the vine. The hard part with corn is harvesting and subsequent milling. You can harvest the heads and feed them to your chickens then, or you can allow them to tear up that section of your garden once a heavy frost has hit. You can give them the ears right from the garden, or the leftovers after canning. Please seek professional help when needed. Also natural parasite control for chickens, cucumbers are already in most home gardens. These cruciferous vegetables are good for everybody – chickens included. Corn plants need a lot of bright, but indirect, sunlight. Dandelions are a great source of fiber for your chickens, and because they’ll grow just about anywhere, you can sprinkle the seeds in your chicken yard and let the birds snack on the flowers once they emerge. “Scratch should be fed sparingly, if at all.” 2 I do not recommend giving chickens scratch at all. This plant withstands traffic and stress quite well, so even if you allow your chickens to forage directly on a patch of white clover, you might find that it keeps coming back. Not only will this provide your chickens with access to valuable nutrients and microbes but it will also till up your compost for you! For the easiest, most convenient option, just plant a crabapple tree in your chicken yard and let your hens go to town – they will love the tiny little fruits! As a rule, these birds seem to love corn that’s on the sweeter side of things, so grow a row or two to feed your chickens. Sprouted grain. Chickens love radishes, and even if you want to save your hard-earned radish crop for yourself, you can still feed the tops to your birds. Not all pieces of land require the same amount of work to prepare, so costs will vary depending on the needs of your soil. Think of grains as a nutrition packet wrapped in protective packaging. It can improve chicken health, particularly in the winter time when your girls are confined more often to the coop. You can feed both the tops and the roots of this delicious plant, and they will provide your chickens with tons of nutrients and antioxidants. Or both seeds and fruit? As a bonus, the seeds can provide natural de-worming  and parasite control for the chickens. Some good options include red clover, alfalfa (as described above), mustard, and grain grasses. It’s a great option for a low-cost feed to give to your chickens to keep them healthy. There are dozens of cover crops to choose from, but some popular choices include cereal rye, buckwheat, and winterpeas. Now we’re growing corn for chickens instead of expecting them to forage. All rights reserved. To see how to harvest and dry mint for tea, read the post here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Even on a small homestead, you can grow wheat. Open up the compost bin– even if you decide not to grow plants specifically for your chickens, you can reduce your feed bill by allowing your chickens to peck and scratch in the compost pile. It’s better to feed chickens whole kernel corn because of the oils the chickens get from the outside of the shell when eating it. Raising chickens can be worthwhile, but chicken food ain’t cheap! Garlic is an exceptional immune system booster and can help rid your chickens’ guts of unwanted parasites and other diseases. Harvest cabbages after the first light frost by using a sharp knife and cutting to 1 inch above the ground. Corn. Let the chickens till up the bed about two or three weeks before you need to plant in it. Here are some great choices for growing greens in your own garden and then hand-feeding to your chickens: Arugula, beet tops and leaves, Brussels sprouts, carrot tops, chicory, collard greens, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce (all types), mache (corn salad), mizuna, mustard, New Zealand spinach, radicchio, sorrel, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens, and wheat grass. What is your favorite to give to your flock? Soak them in a bowl and spread them onto a container with drainage holes. It is high in protein and is an excellent ground cover to plant near chickens. Really, growing fodder for chickens is as simple as that. A common weed that you can find in nearly any open area, and in many backyards, chickweed is a floppy plant that grows in “mats” low to the ground. The information provided on The Homesteading Hippy is for educational purposes only. Chickweed also can be foraged for and brought home as a treat for you and your flock. To plant alfalfa, plant in rows 18 inches apart, and gently broadcast seeds. If you’re raising chickens or other livestock, you know that animal feed can get quite expensive. You can sprout dry grains and seeds to provide your chickens with valuable nutrients in a more digestible format. However, since most of us don’t have that kind of space, you can plant seeds in rows 1 inch apart, and seeds 1 inch deep and harvest enough for a treat for your flock. You can feed your chickens raw carrots, too, but they’ll especially love the greens. We use wheat, some people use barley. We already mentioned using clover as a cover crop, but it serves as an excellent feed on its own, too, even when it’s not being grown as a cover crop. Have you raised cornish x broilers in the past and prefer the taste of heritage birds? They’ll love them! ... RATIONS FOR GROWING CHICKENS . Corn is a very desirable grain fed whole, cracked or ground. Toss a few fresh leaves in their nesting boxes and in their coop for a sweet smell, too. You can grow a large patch of melons in your garden for just a few dollars, and your chickens will stay well-fed and also hydrated from the all the water in the fruits. Plant 5-6 seeds in each hill and cover with 1 inch of soil. Calendula also has medicinal value for humans, and makes a great tea. Dry at 175 degrees F for at least 6 hours. This plant grows up to 18 inches tall and will come back each year. When planting corn: plant seeds 1 1/2 inches deep If you’re already growing carrots in your garden, why not double your batch and give all the greens to your chickens? You must log in or register to reply here. Most of the time, a good quality chicken feed that you find at the local farm supply store will be sufficient. Thirsty Three Times Think Thickish, Sponsored Content, Contests, and Giveaways. Just a guess as I have never tried to do this. Anyone who has performed an operation, to remove Styrofoam from a hen’s crop, knows to keep non-digestible or toxic materials out of reach. The hull-less variety is easier for threshing. It's their favorite food, and they'll be happier with full bellies. Several currant bushes planted closely together will make an excellent living hedge fence for your chickens, and they also help to attract pollinators. Add an extra plant near your chicken run and allow the vines to climb over fencing. In the heat of the summer, tossing a few kernels of corn into a muffin tray, filling with water and freezing before giving to the chickens will give them a cool treat. The great thing is that you can actually grow some of these plants right in your backyard garden. Chickens will also love those ears that might be overripe. Think about your flock size – if you only need a dozen chickens to supply enough eggs for your family, why are you raising fifteen? When growing mint, be sure to plant in a container. Comfrey is a plant that is commonly grown on homesteads because it has a variety of medicinal and culinary uses. Ok, for me, I'm not going to grow it all. – but it’s also an excellent treat for chickens. Your chickens will be drawn to it as a snack – and will feel calmer as a result – and your coop will also be free from flies. You might want to consider supplementing your chicken feed with some great plants around your garden. Cull unnecessary flock members – this might be tough for you to envision, but there might come a time when you need to either give away or cull old hens, old roosters, or chickens that are either genetically undesirable or unproductive. It’s easy to grow, too – you can plant it at any time of the year during which the soil can be worked, and it will stay alive in extreme temperatures – it’s hardy in zones 3-9. In the heat of the summer, tossing a few kernels of corn into a muffin tray, filling with water and freezing before giving to the chickens will give them a cool treat. It will have tiny white flowers with deeply notched petals. Plus, you can grow any type of radish, including cherry belles, watermelons, or Daikons. Your email address will not be published. I’ve written about how to feed chickens on the cheap, but in my 20+ years of raising hens, I’d not taken the time to learn to grow … They will eat everything, from the crowns to the stems – even the roots and leaves! But what you probably didn’t know is that they can also serve as an excellent source of feed! Your chickens will love berries of all kind, and you don’t need to run to the store to buy these antioxidant-rich jewels, either. Is it just the seeds? If you choose to direct sow the seeds, plant 1/2 inch deep and thin to 12 inches when the seedlings are 3 inches high. Thin seedlings to 2-3 per hill when they are 2 inches high. They also help to attract pollinators! Corn is one of the more common feeds for chickens on the farm, which is why growing it can be very advantageous. I'm not planning to just feed the chickens corn, but more for a snack/supplement/scratch during the winter. How is that poisonous to chickens. Copyright © 2020 TheHomesteadingHippy.com. I've grown popcorn in the past, and when the mice got in it, I threw it out this year. Submitted by GoinBackCountry on February 20, 2013 - 12:39pm. In fact, its use is being studied as a natural antibiotic on several largescale poultry farms! Corn is easy to grow and otherwise deal with. All you need to do is start with seeds from plants like peas, corn, sunflowers, wheatgrass, oats, or soybeans. Part, corn is harvesting and subsequent milling but it will have tiny white flowers with deeply notched petals feed... Is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or the leftovers after.... 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