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in Chicken Care· Nutrition

Chicken Feed & Nutrition

Nutritional Feed & Supplements for your flock

I get a lot of questions lately regarding what and how we feed our flocks, so I thought I would answer some of those questions here.  I post lots of pictures and videos of my chickens eating some unusual things and I always get some funny responses from you guys. Yes, my chickens are savages and will eat just about anything I give them, but I have had my share of individual chickens and even entire flocks of very picky chickens that refused to go near some of my supplemental treats let alone eat them! I devised a couple of easy ways to encourage them to try and eventually love consuming new, healthy and beneficial additions to their usual eating and drinking routines.

Heres a couple of tips:

Adding a supplement, vitamin, medicine, garlic, ACV to their water and they won’t touch it? 

  • Remove their regular water source temporarily, and give them their supplemented water as their only drinking liquid.
  • Give them this temporary water in a shallow open bucket or large bowl rather than a container watering system.  A low bucket of fresh open water is hard for chickens to resist.
  • Enhance the flavor of the water with fresh mint or basil leaves
  • Toss some goodies in the water such as sliced cucumbers, watermelon chunks, fresh or frozen blueberries (during the hot months), or fresh or frozen corn. The goodies will slowly sink to the bottom, forcing the chickens to drink the water to get to the treats!
  • Add some steeped and cooled herbal tea to the water. My hens love this.

HERBS FOR CHICKENS

Are your chickens eating the grains, or large bits out of the feed and leaving lots of dust/fines behind to go to waste?

  • Pour some sort of liquid over the fine dust and mix it into an oatmeal consistency and watch them eat it right up. You can use low sodium chicken broth or bone broth, diluted apple juice, cooled brewed herbal tea, or a wetter version of fermented feed works well too. In a pinch, just use water!
  • Scoop up the dust or feed remains and add it to your fermented feed with extra water for feeding the following day
  • Or use the remaining feed dust as a bottom barrier to your fermented feed (which can be a bit sticky and messy and leave a crust on feeding containers if there isn’t some dry feed down first

EVERYDAY FEED

Our chickens are provided with free choice feed all day long.  I usually feed them in the morning and by sunset it’s almost all gone, which is the goal, as I don’t want to leave feed around overnight to encourage rodents or insects or potential predators. I also never feed them inside the coop, but rather always outside in their covered runs.

We feed exclusively Scratch and Peck Feeds, because it truly is the best feed on the market.  Not only is it 100% organic and non-gmo certified, but it’s whole raw grains, NOT a pellet and NOT a crumble.  Both pellets and crumbles are heat processed, which can destroy heat sensitive ingredients such as enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and probiotics and require further processing post pelleting in order to add some of these nutrients back in – at lower quality than the original.   In order to make the product cheaper overall, lots of fillers and additives void of real nutrition are added and then bulked up with genetically modified corn and soy. Despite all of that, the proof is in the pudding. My chickens hate that type of feed and refuse to eat it, and it’s not because they are picky or spoiled – okay they are a little spoiled, but picky they definitely are not. Chickens have a way of sensing what to eat and what not to eat based on what is good for them.  Ever had a toxic or poisonous plant that the chickens just don’t mess with, yet your precious basil plant is eaten down to the roots?  Yep, they know.

Okay, maybe that’s not the best example…I mean traditional pelleted chicken feed isn’t toxic, but it’s certainly not as nutritious and healthy as it could be. I suppose it’s more akin to mass produced wonder bread vs an organic whole grain loaf from a high-end bakery. The wonder bread is going to feed you, but you may not feel very good after eating it. And my chickens have eaten raw whole grains since the day they were hatched here on the farm. We start them at day 1 eating this way, it’s just chopped up finer for tiny beaks and crops!

raw whole grain feed

Scratch and Peck’s motto is, “you are what your animals eat” and I love that because in the case of our precious hens, what we feed them literally becomes our breakfast.  Chickens just prefer to eat the way grandma used to feed them…with raw grains! Try a small bag of it and you’ll see the difference,  I promise you.

*** NOTE: If Scratch and Peck is not available in stores in your area (it’s not sold anywhere in the state of Texas), there is an amazing company called Azure Standard. You can sign up for Azure’s delivery service at a drop site near you. They deliver once a month and you just meet at the drop site on your delivery day at the delivery time and pick up your order. They have tons of other amazing organic products as well, not just feed. I blanched, sliced and froze 40 lbs of the most delicious fresh peaches last summer that I bought from them! If you want to check it out and see if there is a drop near you, click here to get started with Azure.***

ORGANIC FEED

FERMENTED FEED

You’ve heard the news, fermented foods are good for us! But they are also good for our animals, especially chickens!

The process of lacto-fermentation greatly enhances the nutritional content of the feed. It produces a healthy dose of B vitamins, vitamin K, and enzymes. But, probably the largest benefit of fermentation is the introduction of probiotics.  Boosting the amount of good bacteria in our animal’s guts is ALWAYS a good thing, as that also means we are boosting their immune system along with increasing the nutrition and digestibility of the feed.

The great news is that any feed can be fermented.  It does not need to be whole or raw.  Pellets, crumbles, mash, layer feed, grower feed and even chick starter feed can be fermented.  You can ferment scratch grains, whole oats, barley, wheat berries, legumes, etc. You can ferment all of your chickens daily feed or just ferment a small amount and pour it over their daily feed, which is a great way to add some extra nutrition to a lower quality feed like pellets or crumbles.

And it couldn’t be easier to do.

You need just three things:

  • The feed or grains you want to ferment
  • Fresh water
  • A bucket

Start with a relatively small amount of grains or feed until you get acquainted with the process.

  1. Add your dry feed, grains, seeds, legumes, etc. to the bottom of a clean bucket
  2. Cover with fresh water and stir until completely moistened.  You will need to continue adding water until all of the feed is wet.  Make sure there are no dry pockets by stiring well. Let this wet mixture sit for a few hours, covered but with access to air (a tea towel works well)
  3. Add enough water to cover the wet feed by about 2 inches. The feed will quickly absorb a lot of water but its imperative that it all stay submerged under the water to avoid growing mold or bad bacteria. Keep the bucket covered the entire time with a tea towel or lid with small air holes.
  4. Leave the feed to ferment for 3 days, stiring at least once per day and adding water as needed to keep the feed submerged
  5. Feed the fermented grains to your flock on day 3, leaving a small amount left over in the bucket to start your next batch.  Add more fresh food and water to the remaining fermented feed and start again. Soon, the feed will ferment and be bubbly and pleasantly sour in 1-2 days instead of 3.

*You can make the fermenting process happen sooner, if you add a bit of water keifer or ripe sourdough starter to the fresh water on day 1.  And speaking of sourdough starter…

SOURDOUGH STARTER

If you have a wild yeast starter that you’re feeding, save the discard! Mix it with a little bit of fresh water and pour it right over your chicken’s feed or mix it in. Starter is just a mild, sour slurry of whole grain flours such as wheat and rye, fresh water and lots of good yeast.  It’s already partially digested so its very easy on a chicken’s digestive system.

Here’s a fun fact: Sourdough is loaded with bugs, GOOD bugs—some 50 million yeasts and 5 billion lactobacilli bacteria in every teaspoon of starter.

Adding Sourdough Starter discard to chicken feed

JUST SAY NO TO YOGURT

I know this is an unpopular opinion among most chicken folks as you guys loooove to feed your chickens yogurt.  But here’s the facts…chickens lack the necessary enzymes to properly digest dairy. I know, I know…you’ve heard it’s SO good for them and SO healthy and full of probiotics…

It’s not a lactose intolerance like some humans have, where the issue is with the milk sugars.  The problem is that they can’t properly digest the milk proteins. When dairy products are pasteurized, it destroys many of the enzymes needed to digest the proteins found in milk, and even if the yogurt does have some probiotics in it – mainly acidophilus, and in no where near the amounts people THINK are in there, the benefits of that small amount of good bacteria they will consume don’t outweigh the potential digestive distress the dairy itself will cause. The main side effect of this lack of digestibility is chronic diarrhea, which is ironic because most people feed yogurt to chickens who are sick or weak or exhibiting signs of illness such as lethargy or…you guessed it – diarrhea. So you’re actually making the initial illness or problem worse by feeding them yogurt.

Now this of course doesn’t apply to raw dairy products, as the enzymes nature put in the milk are still very much intact, which is why many humans can digest raw dairy and not pasteurized dairy. I’ve heard of raw dairy farmers feeding raw milk to their chickens by the bucket full, and those chickens are actually very healthy.

Instead of yogurt, use powdered probiotics such as ProBios or start some sourdough starter and feed them that instead!

ADD HERBS TO FEED

Another way to increase the nutritional value of your chicken feed, is to add dried herbs. Various herbal blends are a wonderful way to supplement with additional protein, add omega-3 fatty acids, and increase immune boosting capabilities as well as egg production.

Herbal chicken feed

Herbs added to whole grain feed

Herbs for Chickens

Herbs safe for baby chicks

And while you’re at it, freshen up those nesting boxes with some beautiful and aromatic nesting box herbs. The hens will eat some of it as they are scratching around making their cozy nests, and the rest will provide aromatherapy to calm laying hens and encourage laying.

Nesting herbs

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily says

    June 27, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    This is such a great article!!! I came looking for info about feeding sourdough starter to chickens, and I’ve learned so much more now too (hello, fermenting feed!) – we will now try and source grain feed instead of pellets, and the dried herbs is genius!
    Thanks!

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farmer & baker & designer

From Graphic Designer to Pastry Chef to Chicken Farmer, my career path has been quite the squiggly line. But today, I am able to use all of those crafts and knowledge at Three Little Blackbirds to offer rare breed hatching eggs, artisan bakery recipes, custom graphics and logos, and goods for the home and farm. All designed and packaged beautifully with love and care. Read More...

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Tulip, or Auntie Tu, which We affectionately call her in the morning as she watches the three boy goats go crazy for their morning bottle, is probably the best goat Aunt I have ever met.

She's stepped into a protective role, which can only be compared to one of a caring and protective aunt. She could have been resting on the other end, and the next thing I know, she's at my knee, looking up at me, giving me a look, that seems to say, "You better take care of my boys", and when I return them all fed, she hurries over to check them out, and makes sure they know she didn't go anywhere. 

She pays extra attention to Fred, who is blind, and gently tries to steer him towards the gate. 
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Since the boys started staying in that stall, Tulip has been a constant presence. She gets out, runs around, but never strays too far from them in the barn, even when she's getting her exercise. It’s like she knows, their mama’s couldn’t take care of them… they were brought to me, to cherish and protect, as if they were my own. 

How many of us have kids that are not our own, and yet we feel responsible and protective over them? Our friends children, children within our family, or children we teach or work with. Tulip gets that. These boys aren't hers, but she loves them in a fierce and protective way that only she can. They don't need to be hers, for her to put them first as if they were. To show them the ropes, to teach them those lessons that if mom could, she would. 

Let's celebrate those who step in to fill the role of mom this Mother's day. The ones who love children so unconditionally, and help to raise them to show that same unconditional love. 

Join us on Saturday morning to celebrate Tullip and mother’s of all types from 10am-12pm with pancakes and love. The link to RSVP is in our bio!
The hens are definitely back to work after a Winte The hens are definitely back to work after a Winter of resting. It’s time to make some quiche and angel food cakes! #springishere
The minis are not so patiently waiting for fresh g The minis are not so patiently waiting for fresh green grass to munch on. Spring has not quite fully sprung here with unseasonably cooler nighttime temps and fluctuating weather that seems just a tad crazier than past years - even for Texas! I did, however get the garden almost fully planted, which might be the earliest yet. Livin on the wild side! 😜🤞🏻🙏🏻🌱
BUSTED! We heard the goats going crazy a couple of BUSTED! We heard the goats going crazy a couple of evenings ago, so we went to investigate and found a stall door open. We know we remembered closing it and we’re so confused so we checked the camera feed and found the culprit 🤣

Rosie the herd queen and food pig was found breaking into the stall next door to steal her friends food! So naughty!! 

We will be changing out these latches now because of her. She made that look wayyyy too easy!!
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Happy national prep day! May your sourdough have Happy national prep day!

May your sourdough have a perfect crumb and your pie crust be flaky. May your cranberry sauce not be too tart and your turkey brine perfectly salty. 

What are my U.S. friends prepping today? If you have a ripe sourdough starter it’s not too late to make a batch of my sourdough bread to bake up tomorrow morning. It makes two loaves so if you only need one, you can put the other in the freezer. But let’s be real… fresh crispy #sourdough dipped in homemade gravy… you’re gonna need the two loaves! 😁🤤🥖Recipe link in bio!
I love passing by and catching a glimpse of the ba I love passing by and catching a glimpse of the barn back there. ✨ doors are being built this week and we will hang them after Thanksgiving. Woo hoo! #progress
Is it the weekend yet? Who else is in need of so Is it the weekend yet? 

Who else is in need of some dirt road therapy? When Corey and I lived in Colorado, we would take the kids and the dogs and head towards the mountains to see the Aspen trees changing colors this time of year. With our coffees, and a good book we were reading packed in our bags, we would find a new dirt road and get lost looking for those twinkling golden leaves. We’d spend the afternoon surrounded by nature, with dirt on our boots and fresh air in our lungs. Whenever I think about needing a “reboot” I think about those trips to the Aspen trees and the smell of the dirt roads and the excitement of exploring somewhere new. 

I made this shirt to remind myself to get more dirt road therapy no matter where I am in my life, maybe it will help you too 🤎
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These two are such characters. I never would have These two are such characters. I never would have thought that when we got an #LGD she would bond with our horses, as that’s kind of a rare situation and typically LGDs and horses/donkeys don’t mix well, so I’ve heard- but Stella has made a family with the minis and is inseparable with Nutmeg. 

At 9 months old, she still shows her adolescence and immaturity when she’s around the goats and chickens, but when she’s with the minis it’s like she’s a different dog- cool, calm, sweet and chill. Still a total goof ball that trips over her own feet and chases her tail BUT she respects the horses and she seems to have a protective nature when she’s around them so I feel like she takes her job more seriously when she’s around them, rather than wanting to “play” like she does sometimes around the goats. 

No playing with your charges, Stella! 🙈

BTW, when we first got Stella I *almost* got two Great Pyrenees puppies at once thinking she would be lonely in the pasture and would need a friend to grow up with. Thank goodness my sweet friend Renee from @mountainwoodsfarm was there to virtually slap my hands away from the second puppy and say NO! lol and then proceed to enlighten me on “litter mate syndrome” if it weren’t for her and her knowledge helping me through in the beginning I would have been lost. She’s your best source for anything and everything you ever needed to know about working LGDs and is #onetofollow 🙌🏻
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We have wanted this barn for so long and have been building since March and it’s so satisfying to finally have a structure to start putting the final touches on. 3 sets of big barn doors and the exterior stall doors are coming up next along with shingling the roof and electrical and exterior extras like window shutters and faux hay loft windows. 

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My dreams for Tulip came true today you guys. Re My dreams for Tulip came true today you guys. 

Remember when I said from the beginning that I wanted her to be with other special needs animals just like her? And maybe even make a difference in a special needs child’s life too..

She got to experience that today and then some with my friends over at @safeinaustinrescue 🥺🥰 What these gorgeous people are doing is so heartwarming and we had the best time touring their beautiful place and meeting all the amazing animals. 

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Where’s my goat people at? The Greatest.Of.All. Where’s my goat people at?

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My name is Erin. I am a mother of three, chicken farmer, gardener, pastry enthusiast, and self-proclaimed food snob. I love to dig in the dirt. I love to ride horses. I love the smell of lavender and roses and lilacs and hay. I am a dreamer, but kneading bread dough keeps me Earth bound. Im glad you're here! Read More...

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