Grow a Garden Chicken Feed? Yes, Here’s How
Yes, you can grow a meaningful portion of your chickens’ feed in a backyard garden, and doing so can cut feed costs and improve flock health. This article explains what to plant, how to calculate how much you need, and how to integrate homegrown feed into your flock’s diet safely.
Why Grow Chicken Feed?
Raising chickens is rewarding, but commercial feed is often the largest ongoing expense. Growing a portion of your flock’s diet can reduce that cost, provide fresher and more varied nutrition, and give you control over what your birds eat. It also turns kitchen scraps and garden waste into eggs and meat, creating a more self-sufficient system.
However, it’s important to be realistic: most backyard flocks can’t be 100% fed from a typical garden. But even a 20–30% reduction in purchased feed is achievable with careful planning.
What Crops to Grow
Chickens are omnivores and enjoy a wide range of plants. The best feed crops are those that are nutritious, easy to store, and high-yielding. Here are some proven options:
- Grains: Corn, wheat, oats, barley, and millet provide energy. Corn is a favorite but is low in protein (about 9%).
- Legumes: Peas, beans, and soybeans are high in protein (20–40%). They need to be cooked or sprouted to remove anti-nutrients.
- Leafy greens: Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and lettuce provide vitamins and minerals. They can be fed fresh or dried.
- Roots and tubers: Carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are good sources of carbohydrates and beta-carotene.
- Squash and pumpkins: These store well and provide seeds that are a natural dewormer (though not a substitute for veterinary care).
- Herbs: Oregano, thyme, and mint have mild health benefits and can be grown in small spaces.
Choose crops suited to your climate and soil. A mix of grains, legumes, and greens provides a balanced diet.
How to Calculate Your Flock’s Needs
Before planting, figure out how much feed your chickens consume. A standard laying hen eats about 0.12 kg (120 g) of feed per day. Meat birds eat more, roughly 0.15–0.2 kg per day. Multiply that by the number of birds and the number of days you want to supplement.
For example, 10 hens eating 0.12 kg/day = 1.2 kg per day. If you want to provide 30% of their diet from your garden for 6 months (180 days), you need:
1.2 kg/day × 180 days × 0.30 = 64.8 kg of feed
That’s a realistic goal for a 50–100 m² garden, depending on crop yields.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Growing chicken feed isn’t without hurdles. Here are common issues and how to handle them:
- Space limitations: If you have a small yard, focus on high-yield crops like corn and squash, or use vertical space for climbing beans.
- Storage: Grains need to be dried and stored in rodent-proof containers. A metal trash can works well.
- Nutritional balance: Homegrown feed may lack certain amino acids (like methionine) found in commercial feed. Supplement with commercial feed or add fish meal or spirulina.
- Seasonality: In cold climates, you can’t grow year-round. Plan to store dried grains and root vegetables for winter.
- Pests: Birds and rodents may eat your crops before you do. Use netting and traps.
Costs and Savings
Growing feed involves costs: seeds, soil amendments, water, and time. A packet of seeds costs a few dollars, while a 25 kg bag of commercial feed might cost $15–$25 (prices vary). The savings depend on your yield and the cost of your inputs. In many cases, you can break even or save money, especially if you already garden and have compost.
But the real value may be in quality: fresh greens and varied grains can improve egg flavor and hen health. Some keepers report fewer health issues when chickens have access to forage.
Safety and Nutritional Considerations
Not everything in your garden is safe for chickens. Avoid feeding them:
- Avocado pits and skins (contain persin)
- Green potatoes and tomato leaves (contain solanine)
- Raw beans (contain lectins)
- Chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol
Also, never feed moldy or spoiled food. Clean water must always be available. When introducing new foods, do it gradually to avoid digestive upset.
For a balanced diet, homegrown feed should be a supplement, not a replacement, unless you have a well-researched plan. Commercial layer or grower feed is formulated to meet all nutritional requirements. If you’re unsure, consult a poultry nutritionist or your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed my chickens only garden scraps?
No. Kitchen scraps and garden produce lack the balanced protein, calcium, and vitamins that commercial feed provides. They should be a treat, not a staple. A diet of only scraps often leads to nutritional deficiencies and poor egg production.
How much land do I need to feed 10 chickens?
To provide 30% of their feed, you’d need about 50–100 m² (540–1,080 sq ft) of productive garden, depending on crop yields. For 100% feed, you’d need several times that, plus a plan for winter storage.
What is the best high-protein crop for chickens?
Soybeans are the highest at around 35–40% protein, but they need processing. Field peas are easier to grow and have about 20% protein. Sunflower seeds are also good, at 20% protein, and are simple to grow.
Do I need to cook beans before feeding them to chickens?
Yes. Raw beans contain lectins that can make chickens sick. Boil or soak and cook them thoroughly before feeding. The same applies to soybeans.
Can chickens eat grass clippings?
Yes, but only fresh, non-toxic grass that hasn’t been treated with herbicides or pesticides. Offer small amounts, as too much can cause crop impaction. Dried hay is also good, but avoid moldy hay.
How do I store homegrown grain?
Dry the grain to a moisture content of about 12% or less, then store it in airtight, rodent-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Properly stored grain can last up to a year. Check regularly for mold or pests.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.