Whole-Grain Chicken Feed
There are very few organic or natural feeds available to people with poultry. Fewer still are recipes to mix your own. Yet there is a lot of inconsistent information about what is 'best' to feed chickens, partly because of varying opinions. The only thing one can do is research, glean information from various sources and decide from there. Based on our extensive research into the nutritional needs of chickens and the nutritional content of various seeds, grains and legumes, we have devised a whole-grain chicken layer ration. When at all possible, each component is certified organic or grown without chemicals.
Feeding whole-grains, much less organic, is by no means the least expensive way to go. In fact, it ranges anywhere from 2-8 times the cost to mix your own depending on how many items are in your recipe and where you obtain them. Why go through the trouble then? There are a few reasons. First, and foremost, is the fact that once a grain or seed is cut, ground, hulled, etc. much of its nutritional value is lost. Storage life is very poor, also. These bits and pieces are not usable feedstuffs, so there is a lot of waste. Once spilled, they remain unusable. Whole grains, seeds and legumes, on the other hand, retain all vitamins, minerals, oils, and proteins intact. Storage life is exceptional- wheat, barley and oats have been known to be useful for livestock years after proper storage. If spilled, there is no waste- due to their whole nature they can be consumed in the nutritious and appetizing form of sprouts or seedlings. It really is a win-win situation for you and your hens. Those who feed whole-grain vow to never go back!
We have learned that the initial cost of purchasing organic whole grains in large quantities actually evens itself out. How so? Filling our 10 lb. feeder with the commercial organic layer ration lasted our hens 1˝ to 2 days, maximum. That same 10 lb. feeder with our whole-grain mix is lasting 3˝-4 days. Huge difference! In the end, our cash outlay to purchase all the ingredients is higher, but that quantity then lasts 50 times longer and the nutritional benefits are far greater.
As expected, we did need to tweak the recipe slightly. Apparently, our girls do not like lentils in the least! We replaced them with an equal amount of green split peas, which they relish. Also, originally we planned to use Amaranth, but the cost is quite high so we use Kamut exclusively.
During the hens molt, and now into fall/winter, egg production had fallen off completely. This has always been attributed to a natural, unavoidable slow-down. Recently I read about the supplementation of boiled whole soybeans. The logic being twofold- during the stressful phase of molt their bodies need more protein to make feathers, not to mention eggs; and their protein needs aren't being met due to the number of insects being nil in cool weather. Soybeans take up the protein slack and complement the large amounts of whole grains the hens consume, forming a complete protein in the diet. We have been giving our girls a daily portion of boiled whole organic soybeans (which they truly look forward to and devour, I might add!) The results? They finally finished an extra long molt and egg counts continue to increase every week. Gotta love results like that!
Two Hunnyz Whole-Grain Layer Ration
Ingredients:
1 part whole corn (2 in winter)
3 parts hard red winter wheat
1 part oats (2 in winter)
1 part hulled barley
1 part black oil sunflower seeds (2 in winter)
1 part kamut
2 parts green split peas
1/2 part flax seeds
1/2 part organic kelp granules
free choice- DE, granite grit and oyster shell
Supplements:
Winter- red clover sprouts, dried Hedgerow Herb Blend, Hawthorn Berries, Wormwood (for parasite control), mostly organic fresh kitchen scraps, boiled whole organic soybeans daily, occasional raw clabbered milk and raw milk Kefir.
Summer- fresh and dried Hedgerow Herbs, Wormwood, fresh kitchen & garden scraps, occasional raw clabbered milk and raw milk Kefir.
Supplementing With Soybeans
During the hens molt, and now into fall/winter, egg production had
fallen off completely. This has always been thought of as a natural,
unavoidable slow-down. Recently I read about the supplementation of
boiled whole soybeans. The logic being twofold- during the stressful
phase of molt their bodies need more protein to make feathers, not to
mention eggs; and their
protein needs aren't being met due to the number of insects being nil
in cool weather. Soybeans take up the protein slack and complement the
large amounts of whole grains the hens consume, forming a complete
protein in the diet. We have been giving our girls a daily portion of
boiled whole organic soybeans (which they come running for and
devour, I might add!) The results? They finally finished an extra long
molt and egg counts continue to increase every week. Gotta love results
like that!
Instructions:
1) Soak dried soybeans overnight in several times their depth in water (start with perhaps 2c. of beans).
2) Next day, bring to full boil (in the soaking water to save vitamins), then slow boil for 15 minutes. Take care to not boil over!
3) Dump beans in a strainer, rinse with cold water, let drain and cool. When cooled, store in the refrigerator.
Our nine hens eat around 3/4 c. per day, scattered on the ground (you can also use a dish). I make enough to last the entire week.
NOTE: The trypsin in all beans is toxic to the lining of the birds' intestines. It can cause scarring and inhibit their ability to absorb nutrients from their diet. Any beans fed to chickens need to be at or above 180 degrees F for 15 minutes to destroy the trypsin. The best way to do this is by boiling.
