Homemade poultry feed! Non GMO and Soy free
When it comes to feeding my animals, I am a control freak. Okay fine, I’m a control freak in most aspects of my life. However, when it comes to feeding things I love and things I plan on consuming, my control freak-ism jumps up a notch. So naturally, I find it much easier to make my own poultry (turkey & chicken) feed then to actually find a feed that is suited perfectly to their needs. I specially do not want them to eat soy products and I preferred no GMO corn. Soy is cheap and high in protein, so it is in virtually in all feeds. Even our local organic feed is packed with Soy byproducts.
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Here in the Pacific Northwest where it gets down into the single digits (sometimes into the negatives) during winter, then I do add in corn for extra energy as well as Cayenne pepper for heat.
There are so many perks of using cayenne pepper and diatomaceous earth (DE) in chicken feed, not only does cayenne increase body warmth but the duo also acts as a natural dewormer. Chickens do not have heat sensors, therefore the cayenne pepper does not burn their pallet, and it just warms their body, think of it as a hot toddy for your chickens. 🙂
I have specifically adjusted my poultry feed recipe based on their needs and pickiness. My chickens refuse to eat barley or peas, therefore, I don’t add any into my recipe and because they forage all day, I see no need to additional fillers.
Whole Grains and Seeds
I m a huge advocate of using seeds and grains in the whole form, meaning, not in a manufactured pellet. Here’s why, I expect our chickens to free range and forage for food the majority of the day. Whole seeds and grain are what they find in nature, there is not compressed food pellets lying about.
I use BOSS (Black oil sunflower seeds) as their main source of protein based on several reasons, primarily, it’s high in protein and the oils in the sunflower seed are very nutritious for them. Also, I am Paleo, therefore having less residual grains in the eggs and meat is an added benefit.
I currently have 13 chickens and three turkeys, all of which free range during daylight hours and are only locked up at night. I also feed both the turkeys and chickens the same feed, as they are both heritage breeds and require around the same intake of protein. (Between 16-21%) Because they are a Heritage breed and desire to forage all day, I only go through 4 cups of feed per day, making raising poultry very economical, at less than $2.00 per day.
Let Them Free Range
If my Poultry did not free range I would add in another 25 pounds of wheat and 25 pounds of oats to give them extra filler, proteins, and carbohydrates. As well as, 3 cups of powdered milk for added calcium. Below is my basic recipe that I’ve been using on my Poultry for years. I have had no problem butchering out a tasty 10-12 pound chicken and getting daily omega rich eggs from my hens.
Also, if allowed to free range and forage, turkeys will get 30% of their diet from grass and bugs. If your turkeys are not on ample grass, I would add in a few hard boiled eggs each day to increase their protein levels.
Homemade Poultry Feed
50 pounds-14% BOSS
25 pounds-31% BOSS hulled
25 pounds- 11% corn/wheat
5 pounds Flax seed (25.6% per#)
3/4-1 cup cayenne pepper
1 cup DE
1 cup salt
Crumbled eggshells or oyster shells. Free choice. I feed raw milk instead of oyster shell because that’s what I have plentiful on the farm.
Makes a little over 100 pounds
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- Homemade chicken feed
I prefer to make a large batches of up to 200 pounds at a time, that way I don’t run out during the winter and I’m not forced to buy commercial feed.
After I have a batch mixed up, I put it into 5 gallon buckets because it is easy for me to tote from the barn, up to the chicken coop while there is slippery cold snow on the ground.
When the weather is hot out, there is no need for the corn. Chickens, like cows, heat their bodies from the inside out.
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Interesting recipe! I’ve ready a lot of do-it-yourself feed recipes and this one seems a lot more approachable. Thanks!
In the summertime, do you omit the Cayenne Pepper?
Great question! Yes, when the weather starts heating up (mid June) I will omit the Cayenne and then begin adding it back when the weather cools down, around October.
what is the cayenne do for the chickens in the winter?
Krista, Chickens lack heat receptors, so by adding cayenne it will act as natural de-wormer as well as warm their body internally without burning there mouth.
Thank you for this, I’m getting ready to order my first batch of Turkey pullets, heritage, and want to keep them gmo free. Your recipe is certainly very easy to obtain ingredients for! I’m excited for this new venture.
I’ve been looking for a homemade chicken feed recipe. We also live in the west where it gets cold so I love that this one has the cayenne in it to help warm them. Now i just have to figure out the best local place to get these ingredients and I can mix up a batch!
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Wshat is the product that is hulled, Is This Sunflower Seeds also?
Yes The 25lb “BOSS” is BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEED and they are hulled.
I am confused by the BOSS. Is it 50 lbs of unhulled and 25 hulled? Also where do you get it hulled? I have never seen out like that.
Thanks for your question Wendy. I choose to feed both the BOSS in the whole and shelled form. The shell of the sunflower seed offers beneficial oils that is excellent for a healthy shiny plumage, while the seed (or nut) itself, is packed full of protein. You can find the hulled ones in the wild bird section of a farm or co-op type store.
Can you tell us your Rate of Lay? And how long it takes the birds to reach 10 – 12 lbs. (weeks)? Thank you.
My chickens lay about 5 days per week and slow down during the winter. I do not put a light on in their coop, as I’m a firm believer that they need a break and a natural cycle. Since I raise Buckeye chickens, which are a heritage breed, they do take longer then a Cornish or freedom ranger. I butcher them out around 18-22 weeks. The Buckeye chicken was created with the idea that the typical chicken is too small for the family table, yet a turkey is too big for a sitting, after breeding several breeds together, Nettie Metcalf got the Buckeye, A chicken that dresses out at high weight, yet still maintains its natural desire to forage during the day. The hens are good layers and still go broody.
Hi! When do you start your chicks on this recipe? How old? Thanks!
I start them on this when their ready to go outside, usually around 6 weeks old.
Do you have a recipe for chick starter too? I should be hatching my first batch of buckeyes in two weeks (fingers crossed!) But I don’t like anything the feed store carries (not a single bag without soy!!) Thanks for your time!
How many 50lbs bags does this recipe make when you order your grains in bulk?
Oh never mind I reread your post 🙂
This sounds like a really great recipe! It’s the first diy one i’ve looked at so far. I have a few questions though, what is the purpose of the Cheyenne pepper? And you allow them to free feed or give them a certain amount per day? I only have 7 hens, 2 are Silkies and the rest are various standards breeds. If I have to give them a certain amount, how much should it be?
My family is also paleo (going on 3 1/2 years 🙂 )and I’d love to try this feed! We have 24 chickens, 6 ducks, and 2 geese. Some chickens have just started laying, finally! Will this food be ok for all of them? Right now they are on a game bird feed, non gmo, no soy. I grind up egg shells and mix in food. They free range on 1.33 acre and put up at night. Thanks!
This is a high protein ration. It will be just fine for your mixed flock.
Love your website! This is a very basic question, I know, but why is it necessary to feed the chickens if they free range and seem to eat all day? I do feed my chickens because that seems to be necessary–and I’m not counting “snacks” I throw out for them, such as corn cobs in the summer or tomatoes, etc.–so I definitely want to try your mix to avoid the GMO stuff I get at the feed store. Sometimes books forget the start with the mini-baby stuff newbies need. 🙂 I’ve had chickens less than a year and I’m definitely not trying to artificially enhance their laying times. The more I can provide them a back-to-nature environment, the better, I feel. Thanks in advance.
My chickens are excellent forager and really do not go through much feed, however I always offer it free choice. Its there IF they need it. I seem to ALWAYS have a hen broody, so if I have a feeder full of food, at least I know that the broody mama can quickly hop up, eat and return to her eggs. This is really for my own reassurance. Also during the winter, when there is heavy snow, the chickens cant scratch in the grass or dirt, so having feed avail to them to makes sure they still have proper nutrients.
Why the salt I thought salt was bad for chickens.
Chickens can suffer from sodium deficiency. Salt is added to the feed to aid growth and prevent developmental delays, this especially plays true in broilers and fast growing breeds.
Hi I was wondering if you knew of a substitute for the flax?
One could possibly sub it with a hemp seed. However, if you need to sub it based on an allergy issue, I would personally just omit it, as other nuts\seeds may have the same effect.
Great recipe! I started chickens a year ago. I dislike using pelleted food, but haven’t been able to find a recipe that isn’t corn heavy and has ingredients I can locally source. I am in S.W. Idaho and also appreciated your link to winterize-are you S.W. or up north? Do you source your feed ingredients at WinCo or another retailer (not sure that I’ve ever seen organic BOSS at WinCo, but it sure would be handy!) I like the idea of the buckeye as my girls are also harvested for eating after their second laying summer, is there an Idaho source for these birds? Thanks for all the help- I plan on enjoying this blog in the future!
I have personally never been to a Winco. I try and source mine from a local farmer, if not, then either North 40 or AmaZon. Regarding the Buckeyes, I have only found one other breeder in Idaho. You can PM me if you want more details and I will give you some sources for hatching eggs and chicks.
Thank You, for an informative article that was easy to access. I will “Pin” it, as we are about to start with some backyard chickens for eggs. Have printed your recipe for a chicken file. Much appreciation for willingness to share.
Hi, my chickens cannot free range entirely. Only occasionally in my huge yard. Is this recipe still good for an only food source or should I add other stuff?
Yes it is a complete food source. Just be sure to add in the oyster shell and grit.
This looks so doable. Does corn/wheat mean I could use either? Or does it mean to use 25 pounds of each?
Yes, either or. I like wheat because my husband is a wheat farmer and we are in Idaho, so getting non-gmo corn is quite expensive. 🙂
Gonna try this idea see if it works 🙂
Where do you purchase everything?
Hi Summer.
You should be able to click on the link and it will lead you to a product link.
Love the recipe, wondering where you purchase your large quantities of feed from? Online, brick and mortar store? Thanks for your help!