Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and Soy-Free! The Elliott Homestead

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free!
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IN OVER 4000
KITCHENS!
38
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ANI MALS (HTTP: // THEEL L I OTTHOMESTEAD. COM

/ CATEGORY/ ANIMAL S/)
June 16, 2013
posted by Shaye Elliott (http://www.theelliotthomestead.com)
Homemade Chicken Feed.

Organic and soy-free!
(http://www.amazon.com
/gp/product
/1484076230?ie=UTF8&
camp=1789&
creativeASIN=1484076230&
linkCode=xm2&
tag=theellihome0d-20)
(http://theelliotthomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/viral2.jpg)
THIS MONTH'S
GIVEAWAY!
Im not sure why the Lord saw fit to bless me with the arrival of all these cool
animals over the last few weeks, but I sure am thankful for it.
Ive been wanting chickens for years. YEARS, people.
17/03/2014 16:56
Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead
And this past week with my 15 hens has been awesome. I visit them half a dozen
times per day. Its almost an addiction. I love watching them scratch at the ground,
peck at their food, and roost on the logs in their coop.
Theyre sort of still in their awkward teenage years where theyre not quite mature
and beautiful yet, but still sort of gangy and awkward looking. No judgement here
though. Im just happy to have them.
(http://theelliotthomestead.com
/2014/03/march-giveawayeveryday-essential-oils-fromyoung-living/)
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Never miss what

girlfriend's got to say.
It's all so important.
When we found out that wed be getting chickens upon our arrival in Washington, I
began researching homemade chicken feed options. Its no doubt convenient to
pick up the scratch or pelleted formula from the feed store, but I really wanted a
primarily organic, non-GMO, non-soy based diet for the ol girls. Healthier for them
and better nutrients in our eggs.
As much as Id like these chickens to free range, Ive got far too much invested in
my garden beds to let them do such. They have a nice large coop to roam and
roost in and for the time being, theyre better off in there. Im willing to put forward
the extra effort though to supplement them with as much of a free-range-
Subscribe
mimicked-diet as I can though.
When one thinks about what the chicken actually eats when it free ranges, its
pretty easy to supplement with grains and grasses. Bugs are also a nice addition,
RASCALS
should you have any extras (extra worms from our vermiculture bin work great for
this!). There are a few great store bought options for feeding your chickens (have
you heard about Scratch & Peck feed?) but they are much too expensive for our
feed budget. Hence, the making it at home.
/category/rascals/)
17/03/2014 16:56
BEST FIRST
FOODS FOR BABY
(AND HOW TO
MAKE THEM!)
Let me point this out before I begin: its very, very important to source your grains
wisely. For example, youll see that the recipe calls for flax seed. If you head to
your local grocery store to stock up on bulk flax, youre going to cry when you get
/pin/create to the cash register it simply isnt cost effective to buy it from there. Call your
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/button/)
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/2013/07/best-first-foods-for-babyand-how-to-make-them/)
local feed store and ask about bulk, organic grains. Azure Standard is where we
order all our grains from and is a great option for animal feed (Ive included the
price per pound on each grain that was ordered from there in the recipe below).
Share Amazon also has deals on bulk grains sometimes. Shop around and find the most
economically feasible option that you can. Then, store them in cool containers like
this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MDM8T2?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&
HOME REMEDIES
creativeASIN=B004MDM8T2&linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) so that the

mice dont feast on your goods!
In addition to our homemade grain mixture, I also supplement our chickens with all
/category/home-remedies/)
of our kitchen scraps (things like carrot peelings, stale bread, or old greens) and a
few large armfuls of weeds each day. They love to eat the tender leaves off the
wildflowers and weeds that grow around here. This gives them a large variety of
foods to receive their nutrients from, which I think is nice for them.
HOMEMADE
LARABARS
Welp. Lets get to it, shall we?
/2012/02/homemade-larabarsbaby/)
RECIPES
/recipes/)
17/03/2014 16:56
Homemade Chicken Feed (organic, non-GMO, non-soy)

Note: The prices below reflect the price we pay through Azure Standard.
You will need:
12 cups organic, feeder oats (.34 cents/lb)
8 cups organic, soft white wheat (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
/B000RHVKG4?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000RHVKG4&
WAYS TO UTILIZE
AND USE UP MILK
linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) (.38 cents/lb)

8 cups organic, hard red wheat (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
/B0049YK20Q?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0049YK20Q&
6 cups organic corn (.42 cents/lb)
4 cups organic lentils (.54 cents/lb)
4 cups organic split peas (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
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/B001KWCTBK?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001KWCTBK&

2 cups organic flax seed (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
/2013/11/ways-to-utilize-and-useup-fresh-milk/)
/B001VNEIO4?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001VNEIO4&
linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) (1.68/lb)
/pin/create
1 cup sesame seeds (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
/button/)
/B003LPM9S2?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003LPM9S2&
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3/4 cup kelp granules (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
Share /B0071GWMA2?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0071GWMA2&
HOMEMADE
2 tablespoons olive oil (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product
/B0027EOTKO?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0027EOTKO&
linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20), coconut oil (http://www.amazon.com
/gp/product/B000GAT6NG?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000GAT6NG&
linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20), or molasses (http://www.amazon.com
/gp/product/B008K1J7VY?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B008K1J7VY&
/homemade/)
linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20)
GRACE IN OUR
TRASH CAN
/2012/08/the-grace-in-ourtrash-can/)
SOAKED BREAD
/2012/08/traditional-soaked-wholewheat-bread/)
17/03/2014 16:56
I REFUSE TO
BELIEVE TIME IS
MONEY.
/2013/06/time-isnt-money-it-is-life/)
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LIFE IN THE
GARDEN
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/category/garden/)
Simply combine all the ingredients together in a large bucket. Use your hands or a
large spoon to mix and combine all the grains. The olive oil will help the powdered
HOMEMADE
DEODORANT
kelp to stick to the grains easily.
Kelp is an important addition it helps to provide vital minerals to the chickens

and is an inexpensive way to do such.
I find that my 15 chickens eat about 4 cups of this mixture per day. Ive inspected
the soil closely to see if their leaving particular grain behind but for the most part,
/2010/12/i-digress-to-deodorant/)
they dont sort through the mixture, so I am glad! Even though they arent fully
grown, they can still easily eat the split peas, whole corn, and lentils just fine.
They love the wheat, especially.
THE BOOK THAT

STARTED IT ALL
17/03/2014 16:56
When I feed the chickens, I simply scatter the feed along the ground in their run.
This entertains them, as they can spend their morning scratching through the soil
like they do naturally. During the winter months, Ill feed them inside the coop, but
during the warm, dry months this seems to work fine.
(http://www.amazon.com
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/gp/product
This homemade feed not work for everyone, and it may not be as cost effective for
/pin/create everyone, but it has worked wonderfully for us. The chickens seem to be thriving
/button/) on the whole grain diet and I am thankful to be able to provide them with such
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nutritional awesomeness.
/0967089735?ie=UTF8&
camp=1789&
creativeASIN=0967089735&
linkCode=xm2&
tag=theellihome0d-20)
Share Also note: while its possible to make this feed without corn, I have no reason to do
such. Because I am able to buy an organic, non-GMO from Azure, I feel confident
feeding it to my chickens in this quantity. If left to their own devices free-ranging,
chickens would punish some corn. So corn it is, for us. Feel free to substitute for
another high protein feed stuff (such as sunflower seeds), if you wish.
You know what the best part is about this feed? We get to share it with the
chickens! Ha! I filled up our wheat bucket that I keep in the kitchen right before I
mixed this together for them. And after that, I strolled down to the shop to fill up my
mason jar with lentils. Score!
RECENT POSTS
/2014/03/homesteadbarn-hop-151/)
Chickens are cool. So is homemade chicken feed. If thats what youre into.
I totally am.
UPDATE: I finally calculated the cost of making this per pound. Based on
the price we paid for the grains as of June, 2013 it equates out to .47 cents
/2014/03/the-perfect-chop-salad/)
per pound. Our 15 layers currently eat 1.75 pounds per day, which means it
costs us .81 cents per day to feed them this diet.
Peas: .47/lb, 2 pounds = .94
Flax: 1.68/lb, .75 pounds = 1.26
Sesame seeds: 2.27/lb., .25 pounds = .56
Lentils: .55/lb., 2 pounds = 1.1
Corn: .43/lb., 2.5 pounds = 1.075
Soft white wheat: .38/lb., 3.5 pounds = 1.33
Hard white wheat: .26/lb., 3.5 pounds = .91
/2014/03/homesteadbarn-hop-150/)
Oats= .34/lb., 3.25 pounds = 1.105

Kelp granules = 3.25/lb., 1/2 ounce = .10
The recipe makes a 17.75 pound batch. Total cost is $8.38. This equates to
.47 cents per pound.
I hope this is helpful!
Getting Started in doTERRA

/2014/03/getting-startedin-doterra/)
17/03/2014 16:56
Mar 6, 2014
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monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement,
recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this
blog. I appreciate the support and love y'all have shown this 'ol blog and will only
recommend products that I use, love, or covet. The end.
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From Scratch
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Melissa Faulk June 16, 2013 10:05:00 pm

Been waiting for this! Thank you!
REPLY (/2013/06/HOMEMADE-CHICKEN-FEED-ORGANIC-AND-SOY-
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FREE/?REPLYTOCOM=4146#RESPOND)
/2014/03/march-giveawayeveryday-essential-oils-fromyoung-living/)
Patrica June 16, 2013 10:30:00 pm
Mar 2, 2014
Hi! I liked this informative post!

We actually had 15 Ameracanas a few weeks back but they all
ended up dying. We had them for 2 weeks. I have come to the conclusion
that the nats had a part in it. I stopped by a Amish homestead on Friday to
buy some brown eggs & asparagus! The young lady was confirming my &
my husbands thoughts. There was a loss of as many as 200 on one farm
she was telling me. I really thought we were going to have some fun & in few
months we would be gathering blue eggs! Needless to say we wont be
doing that. I would be just like you hanging out w/them just watching them
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peck & scratch! We may have to try another batch some day soon! We paid
$55 for them & the feed from the feed store was like $18. Not sure what the
sack of grit cost. I would be willing to go non gmo, organic, make my own
chicken feed so I hope I get to some day soon!
Take care out there!
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Emily Moothart June 16, 2013 11:56:00 pm

So how much does this end up costing, say, per week? And
how will that cost compare to the number of eggs youll be
collecting once they start laying? I completely agree with how much fun
chickens are, but Im also very interested in the economics. We live in the
POPULAR WORDS
city but on a 1/4 acre parcel, and right now Im thinking of getting the six
birds the city allows ad just letting them range in the backyard. We dont
have anything planted back there yet (and wont for a year, probably) so Im
not concerned about them ruining anything. What do you think?
/2014/01/do-you-have-torefrigerate-eggs/)
17/03/2014 16:56
23, 2014
Tessa Zundel June 17, 2013 12:09:00 am

Great mix Im so glad Azure Standard is out there! We shared
this with our readers at homesteadlady.com.
/2013/11/ways-to-utilize-and-useup-fresh-milk/)
Jay June 20, 2013 8:29:00 am

Very well written article. I will try your mix. Just had 4 chicks
taken out by raccoon. For those like me not bearing arms
and posed with a threat I loaded a super-soaker with strait bleach x 4,
sprinkled 5000 mg of crushed aspirin on killed but not eaten chicken + left a
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side of anti-freeze.
No more coon problems . . .

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Barbara September 24, 2013 2:04:16 am

Would have been much more humane to have borrowed a
weapon and shot them. Have you ever watched an animal
die from anti freeze? I have and it is a slow torturous death! While
racoons kill our chickens they deserve humane treatment!
/2013/03/naturally-feedingLeah Dunn December 10, 2013 10:53:16 am
the-meat-rabbits/)
Wow. Thats a really horrible way to kill an animal.
January 23, 2014 6:25:33 pm
Wow. I have to chime in and say thats an awful thing to do

Lisa @ Fresh Eggs Daily (http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com) to
any animal. A well-placed shot from a gun is probably the most
humane way to rid your homestead of predators. And an enclosed run
and secure coop where your chickens are locked each night should
/2013/04/cow-goat-which-wouldyou-rather-milk/)
protect them from being attacked by predators in the first place.
Heather June 20, 2013 10:06:00 am

I would also love the cost break-down on thisRwe buy Modesto
Mills organic soy-free food and its about $26/50 lb bag when I
buy in bulk from the feed store in San Diego. I love the idea of making my
own, though!
/2013/05/im-starting-a-farm/)
June 23,
2013 11:08:00 pm
REPLY
(/2013/06/HOMEMADE-CHICKEN-FEED-ORGANIC-AND-SOYFREE/?REPLYTOCOM=4191#RESPOND)
17/03/2014 16:56
Charly So cool! For extra proteinR Have you heard about
Why we eat meat & the
Black Soldier Fly Larvae? GoogleR. Eats foodscraps, is not a

pest fly, stays away when adult perfect!
morality involved.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&
/2011/07/why-we-eat-meatthe-morality-involved/)
source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dlhl0-OezeFQ&
4963 views
Jul 26, 2011
ei=68XHUfGvO4OWtAbHmoCwBQ&
usg=AFQjCNFARdEpT3pc3ImzFGzdGUDXLJBWCA&
bvm=bv.48293060,d.bGE (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&
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%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dlhl0-OezeFQ&
ei=68XHUfGvO4OWtAbHmoCwBQ&
usg=AFQjCNFARdEpT3pc3ImzFGzdGUDXLJBWCA&
/2013/04/the-rabbit-mamba-
bvm=bv.48293060,d.bGE)
establishing-a-rabbit-breedingschedule/)
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Malerie June 24, 2013 1:41:00 pm

This is awesome! We are doing our chicken budget right now,
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and this is REALLY helpful. Heres a question, though: we dont

eat wheat, and I would love to order grains that we could eat, as well. Do
/2014/02/the-lord-giveth-chicken-
you know of other grains that chickens might appreciate and enjoy in a
similar fashion?
and-the-lord-taketh-away-chicken/)
4638 views
Feb 2, 2014
Keith June 30, 2013 8:29:00 am

Sorghum and sunflower are good. Millet is another. Not
sure about cost. Im in Australia.
/2013/02/let-there-be-rabbits/)
We call the hens chooks.
Brenda June 25, 2013 10:39:00 am

where do you buy organic corn?
Dana June 25, 2013 9:15:00 pm

Depending on how much land you have, chickens arent terribly
destructive to gardens. Mine free range and dont really care
that much about anything but the sprouts. I keep them locked up until the
garden is established and lock them up if they start to get to be a problem.
But they like to scratch for bugs more than anything. I actually encourage
them to spend a LOT of time in the garden after harvest and before planting
by feeding them over there so they get all the little bugs they can.
June 26, 2013 2:46:00 pm

Im gluten-intolerant and not jazzed about the idea of handling wheat. Is
17/03/2014 16:56
Meredith there a gluten-free substitute that will fill the same

nutritional need?
Jack Handy July 01, 2013 8:54:00 pm

Wear gloves!
November 16, 2013 6:27:47 pm
we use oat groats and rolled oats for our chickens, as well
3K+
Jamie @afamilieslove (http://www.afamilieslove.com) as
lentils and barley. good sub for wheat, as long as you keep the
protein mix about %15 especially in winter when there are fewer bugs
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LisaB June 26, 2013 4:21:00 pm

Thank you so much for posting this! I had been considering
making my own but we currently buy a mix like this from
someone else for .21/lb and I think well just keep it that way
Boris Bartlog June 30, 2013 8:23:00 am

Did you have a particular justification for including the more
expensive ingredients (flax seed, sesame seed, kelp granules)?
Also, I dont know whether you give your chickens oyster shell or some other
source of calcium and magnesium separately, but once they start laying you
will probably want to add some calcium to their diet otherwise the
eggshells will be thin.
Shaye Elliott (http://www.theelliotthomestead.com/)

August 04, 2013 11:14:00 pm
The more variety the better!
November 16, 2013 6:29:10 pm
they do need the salts in the kelp, as well as the micro

Jamie @afamilieslove (http://www.afamilieslove.com)
nutrients, phosphorus etc. Also the fats in the flax and sesame and
minerals
17/03/2014 16:56
What I Loved in June 2013 (http://www.cheeseslave.com/whati-loved-in-june-2013/)

July 03, 2013 5:29:30 am
[...] recipe for Organic Chicken Feed Organic and Soy-Free I dont
have chickens but if I did, Id use this [...]
Robin July 18, 2013 7:54:00 pm

Hi Shaye, I am really excited about your recipe. I have all of
these ingredients in my machine shed and I put all of my 50 lb.
bags of grain in cool containers to keep them all separated until I combine
3K+
them daily. I was just curious if you (or anyone else) grinds their grain. It
seems like my chickens are not the biggest of fans yet. I have also been
fermenting this recipe which they always went crazy over my fermented
/pin/create
foods before, so I dont really see a difference. To ferment, I have just been
/button/)
filling up this grain bucket with water and adding about a cup of kombucha
and mixing it in and then it is ready about 24 hours later. I feed them the dry
mix in the morning and the fermented in the afternoon.
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August 04, 2013 11:15:00 pm
I just started fermenting my grains well see how they like

it!
Love In July Love & Wild Honey

(http://www.loveandwildhoney.com/archives/1656)
July 30, 2013 1:22:55 pm
[...] up in a chicken co-op at a local farm, it was good to find this link about
how to make your own chicken feed. If the former remains true, you are
what your chickens eat. Furthering that point, you are what [...]
Thing Im Loving: July Edition | LiveSimply (http://livesimply.me

/index.php/2013/07/31/thing-im-loving-july-edition/)
July 31, 2013 12:23:53 pm
[...] Homemade Chicken Feed: Organic and Soy-free: Now that I have
chickens, homemade chicken feed is like music to my ears! Have you read
the list of junk in commercial feed? There is no way I am feeding fillers and
other questionable ingredients to my ladies and then feast on their eggs.
This recipe is inexpensive and easy to make..win and win! [...]
Meat Chickens: It begins. | The Elliott Homestead

(http://theelliotthomestead.com/2013/08/meat-chickens-it-begins/)
REPLY (/2013/06/HOMEMADE-CHICKEN-FEED-ORGANIC-AND-SOYAugust 05, 2013 7:39:59 am

17/03/2014 16:56
[...] having a heck of a time finding a non-soy-based formula for such. A

higher protein content of our homemade layer feed will work, but Im new to
this, and am not quite sure how to switch the numbers around to [...]
Jen Carlson August 08, 2013 2:41:00 pm

This rocks, Shaye! Thanks bunches!
New to chickens August 09, 2013 12:55:00 pm

3K+
Where do you find your ingredients for those prices per pound?
I have been looking on Azure website. but do you recommend

an others. I appreciate your recipe and website thank you!
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August 13, 2013 5:31:00 pm
I use Azure. I linked to Amazon because not all my readers

have access to purchase from Azure. The prices quoted are from
Azure.
Karen White August 19, 2013 10:56:00 am

Are your sunflower seeds whole or hulled?? We are weighing
the cost of making our own food. We havent ever feed them
GMO laced food and we feel like they arent getting enough protein, so we
are having to do more research. I dont want to default to pre-made corn
based food.
November 16, 2013 6:34:00 pm
one of the highest nutrition and least expensive feeds for

Jamie @afamilieslove (http://www.afamilieslove.com) them is
actually green peas, highest in protein for all grains(I think it comes in
at about 20% protein), and is pretty cheap, even for the organic type,
for a treat we feed our fresh pea plant shoots in the cold weather
months, also high in protein, pea shoot microgreens have approx $25
protein, more than chicken itself(crazy but true:-)
Pastured Meat Chickens. Week 1. | The Elliott Homestead

(http://theelliotthomestead.com/2013/09/pastured-meat-chickensweek-1/)
September
01, 2013 4:07:15 pm
REPLY
(/2013/06/HOMEMADE-CHICKEN-FEED-ORGANIC-AND-SOYFREE/?REPLYTOCOM=4951#RESPOND)
17/03/2014 16:56
[...] spent hours and hours trying to come up with a homemade broiler feed
recipe to serve alongside the homemade feed that we already make for our
layers. While I was finally able to calculate a formula that utilized local(ish)
resources, the cost of [...]
Carrie September 25, 2013 1:18:05 pm

Hi,
Have you done an analysis on the nutrient content vs. the
regular layer pellets? I would love to try this as long as they are getting the
nutrients they need to keep healthy and lay eggs.
Thanks!
3K+
Carrie
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/button/)
Shaye Elliott (http://www.theelliotthomestead.com)
September 25, 2013 4:06:56 pm
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Carrie,
The protein (I believe is around 16 or 17% which should be exactly
what the layers need.
JP Edwards October 21, 2013 8:46:58 am

Thank you for your recommendation of Azure StandardR I
looked into it and was so pleased with the prices. I was going to
place an order and was disheartened by the shipping cost. I decided to
contact them on the off chance they might have a trucking stop and was
thrilled that they do, and much closer than I would have imagined! I live in
sw Colorado, in a very tiny town, so major happiness on that news! Turns
out I will spend LESS for the same weight as the questionable feed from the
store! Win-win! Thanks for the breakdown of cost as well as the recipe!

October 31, 2013 11:18:24 am
So glad that worked out!
Jennifer Elliott October 31, 2013 9:49:06 am

I am wondering if your hens have started laying and if the feed
has provided the necessary nutrients for strong shells and
consistent laying?
17/03/2014 16:56
Jennifer Elliott October 31, 2013 10:01:42 am

I am also wondering why you used both hard and soft wheat?
JP Edwards November 06, 2013 9:36:35 am

To make things even better, I talked to the woman who
coordinates the drop for Azure Standard and it turns out she
found them only a couple of months ago based on your chicken feed post as
well! Your influence is spreading!
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Laura (http://www.highhorsefarming.com)
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November 13, 2013 11:24:52 am
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I love your website, and am so glad I ran across it. In your

above recipe, you mention feeder oats. I dont see this on azure standard..
do you buy these at a farm supply store, or are they something else?
Thanks!

November 14, 2013 7:36:24 am
If you search oats on their website, you should find them.

They may be under chicken oats or horse oats or something like
thatR I cant quite rememberR but yes, our farm supply store sells
them too as feeder oats.
Scott Brown (http://www.phoenixorganicfeed.com)

November 14, 2013 2:07:56 pm
I have become part of a group in Arizona which pools our feed

volume together so we pay wholesale pricing on USDA certified organic
chicken feed. The organic feed I buy from them is a corn, soy and canola
free organic feed for $26. However, there are over 30 types of feeds for
different animals. This pricing a super low in the Phoenix area. With 20
chickens I am personally saving over $100/mo. Here is a link to the prices
for anyone to compare: http://www.phoenixorganicfeed.com/prices.html
(http://www.phoenixorganicfeed.com/prices.html)

November 18, 2013 9:13:42 pm
Great idea and what a valuable resource!
17/03/2014 16:56
Rob November 18, 2013 12:02:35 pm

Give them chick weed Ive seen side by side comparison of
chickens with and without it. It is amazing stuff.

November 18, 2013 8:55:44 pm
What is it?!
3K+
January 23, 2014 6:29:38 pm
Yes chickweed, dandelions and most weeds are so
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/button/)
Lisa @ Fresh Eggs Daily (http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com)

nutritious.
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Sarah November 26, 2013 2:20:03 pm

Oh my goodness, I LOVE your blog!! We have 2 small kids
close to your kids ages, and we are working towards similar
goals as you, although you are much farther along than us! My question is,
have you had any trouble with the grains in storage getting buggy? I am
looking at doing this for our chickens, but I think some of the minimum
purchase sizes from azure standard will be a years supply for our small
flock, so I am a little worried they will get buggy or rot? What do you think?

December 05, 2013 12:08:14 pm
If they get buggy, its just extra protein for the chickens!
jo December 02, 2013 4:14:54 am

Hi, could you feed this recipe to new born chicks but grind it up,
and maybe add some water??? I am struggling to find an
organic product (that is fish free) for new born chicks (hatched from an
incubator) . Any help would be appreciated.

December 05, 2013 12:02:43 pm
Yes, I think this would be fine. Id up the protein level a bit

by adding a few more legumes than normal.
17/03/2014 16:56
Tamara December 08, 2013 3:42:21 pm

Azure is awesome! For those who dont have the time or
inclination to make their own chicken food, Azure also sells 40
lb bag of organic, soy free layer pellets for $22. Comes to $.55 lb. Worth it if
youre short on time.
Kendra December 09, 2013 5:47:34 pm

Hi Shaye!
3K+
Will try and keep this comment condensed as I am excited to find this post
and your site
My big question is, how is the fermenting with this mix going? I am also an
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Azure customer and have tried 2 of the 3 brands of chicken layer feed they
carry with less then desirable results, mainly because of the offensive smell
which I believe is due to the peas. So I had started giving some thought to
making my own and keeping the peas and kelp out to add just before
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serving? Any thought would be appreciated. I had great success fermenting

their starter and grower with wonderfully yummy smelling results, so dont
believe its due to not fermenting correctly
Anyway, Ive loaded my Azure cart with all the ingredients you mentioned
above and am looking forward to giving it a try ~ thanks so much for taking
the homework out of this newest endeavor for me! Yours was the 1st and
only link I clicked on after searching for homemade chicken feed ~ for
some reason I thought it was going to be harder than that, lol!
Blessings ~ Kendra of Ramblin H Acres, KS
Karin (http://www.limeridgefarmohio.com)
March 05, 2014 9:21:35 am
smell may be either flax that has aged or fish meal. I dont
know the Azure mix components
Zadidoll (http://www.zadidoll.com)
December 18, 2013 3:52:24 pm
I love chickens and use to raise them when lived outside of city
limits. Hate how we live in an agricultural area yet cant have chickens within
city limits YET a big city like Seattle can! Go fig! AnyhowR at the beginning
of gardening season once the snow is gone from the ground allow your
chickens free reign of your future garden. Their poop will make your garden
amazing. I remember one year before we planted our chickens were allowed
to scratch and peck all they wanted in our garden and late that summer we
had the most amazing veggies. When we moved back within city limits our
gardens never produced the same quality of crops regardless of how well
maintained the garden was. Eventually we gave up because the garden
needed those chickens and their poop to fertilize the ground naturally. Never
17/03/2014 16:56
had to use pesticides either because they ate the bugs around the garden
(they were kept out of the garden itself). We only had tomato worms once
and those green worms were a treat for my girls. I miss my chickens.
Patricia Schuller (http://www.homesteadersway.com)

December 18, 2013 4:13:37 pm
Hw do you measure the protein content as it must be around

16% for layers? Thank you
3K+
JP December 28, 2013 4:43:09 pm
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Help! I started feeding my chickens and two things are very

apparent, they need twice the amount you list per day (I have 7
and quickly realized I would not be able to go less than 4c/day) and their
egg production has slowly but surely dropped in half. I was getting average
of 6/day before switching over and each week has dropped by about 1 egg
per day average until now I am only getting 2-3/dayR Organic is great to a
pointR They were getting feed of 20% protein before the switch and I am
trying to add extra protein via raw milk, whey, or yogurt, or meat scraps,
seems to help for a day or two immediately after feeding but still.
Suggestions? Is there more protein in feeder oats than steel cut? I have had
to improvise this last month because Azure Standard was out of feeder oats
when my order was shipped last month. That is the only thing I can think of
as what is different. Can chickens have plain ground peanuts? Wondering if
that might help bump up the protein.
Kendra December 29, 2013 7:23:45 am

You had mentioned above that youve started fermenting this
mix and Im wondering how thats going? Ive fermented other
mixes with peas & kelp that when ripe were so smelly my chickens wouldnt
touch it. So am wondering about leaving those two out, possibly the lentils
also, and just adding to the remaining thats been fermented, just before
serving? Would greatly appreciate hearing what your fermenting results
have been
Nikki January 06, 2014 8:02:46 pm

Hello! I am wondering if you know the protein level is in your
chicken feed. I would love to feed my chickens this! And, I
assume by now they are old enough to be laying eggs, are they good and
consistently laying on your feed? Thanks! Love your blog! You inspire me!
17/03/2014 16:56
January 07, 2014 9:55:48 am
I found your blog via a friends FB link a few weeks ago. Weve
Ranee @ Arabian Knits (http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/) been using
a modified form of your feed for our poultry and they seem to be doing well
on it. Thank you!
I have one question, though. We are able to order from Azure, but I cant find
feeder oats. Is there another name by which they might be found? Thank
you!
3K+
(http://pinterest.comJanuary 07, 2014 1:47:11 pm

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I always find them under feeder oats? Or oats with hulls?

Or animal oats?
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18 of 21
February 05, 2014 2:45:32 pm
They are under the Garden & Pet Supply heading and are
Kelly @ Bold Souls Micro Farm
(http://www.boldsoulsmicrofarm.com)
called Whole oats with hulls Animal Feed, Organic
February 08, 2014 12:44:19 pm
Thank you! We ordered and received it. Weve been able

Ranee @ Arabian Knits (http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/) to
make feed (we upped the protein, because ours is all purpose for
turkeys and chickens) and they are all doing well on it.
Kayla January 09, 2014 11:16:09 am

Have you considered s
Lora January 13, 2014 5:41:51 pm

I love this post! I remembered seeing it, and searched for it so I
could read it again now that were making plans for another
laying flock. Thanks for sharing this! I copied it down and went to the Azure
site to check prices. Not surprisingly, EVERYTHING has gone up. But the
one that really struck me was the lentils! At the time of your post they were
$.54 per poundR.and now theyre $1.84! Thats a HUGE increase. And that
was for the organic lentils. The regular ones are currently at $.57 per pound.
REPLY
I cant(/2013/06/HOMEMADE-CHICKEN-FEED-ORGANIC-AND-SOYimagine why the discrepancy is so big, but I was wonderingR.are you
17/03/2014 16:56
still using the organic ones in your own mix? Or have you switched to
regular, or eliminated them altogether in favor of something else?
Thanks again!
vallea January 14, 2014 11:22:15 am

Great article!
What do you gander the protein % of this mix is???
Thank YOU
3K+
Jessica Tinker January 14, 2014 9:28:59 pm
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Wow, thanks for the recipe! Were new to this and our first
chicks are due to arrive around the end of February (well be
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getting 8 total). I definitely want to feed them organic and when theyre old
enough they will get to free range during the day. Ive been searching all day
for organic feed and it seems your recipe may be the best thing for us to
follow. Im not sure if I will start them on it or wait until theyre a couple weeks
old. It all depends on if I can find any organic feed locally (doubtful). Thanks
again for this great recipe and hopefully I can stop back and let you know if
it worked out for us
February 01, 2014 10:07:39 am
What a great recipe! Im looking into Azure Standard right now,

Stacie @ Defiantly Healthy (http://www.defiantlyhealthy.com) thanks
for providing such detailed information.
Ive been meaning to find a better
quality chicken feed for awhile now!
Amanda (http://herbsnstitches.vpweb.com)
February 07, 2014 7:09:11 pm
Can you tell me the sizes (how many lbs of each) of each
product above, you purchase for the homemade chicken feed?
Thanks!

February 11, 2014 9:05:29 pm
Most of the bags I buy in 50 pounds, except for the lentils

which come in 25 pounds, and the flax and sesame seeds which
come in 5 pound packages.
17/03/2014 16:56
arlene February 12, 2014 6:16:27 am

Im curious to know why you put the feed on the ground in their
coop. They end up eating their own poop,

February 12, 2014 2:06:41 pm
Arlene their feed goes into a bowl.
3K+
Nicole February 13, 2014 12:26:23 am
I was wondering, I know you were buying your feed for your
/pin/create
meat chickens. Are you still doing that or have you started
/button/)
making your own yet? If you have started making your own could we
possibly get your recipe for that? And how are your hens liking the
fermented feed?
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20 of 21
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17/03/2014 16:56

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and Soy-Free! The Elliott Homestead

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Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free!

| The Elliott Homestead

Animal Feed Pellet Mills

ANI MALS (HTTP: // THEEL L I OTTHOMESTEAD. COM

Homemade Chicken Feed.

Ive been wanting chickens for years. YEARS, people.

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Never miss what

mimicked-diet as I can though.

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

creativeASIN=B004MDM8T2&linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) so that the

Welp. Lets get to it, shall we?

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Homemade Chicken Feed (organic, non-GMO, non-soy)

linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) (.38 cents/lb)

linkCode=xm2&tag=theellihome0d-20) (.47 cents/lb)

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

kelp to stick to the grains easily.

Kelp is an important addition it helps to provide vital minerals to the chickens

THE BOOK THAT

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Oats= .34/lb., 3.25 pounds = 1.105

Getting Started in doTERRA

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive

Melissa Faulk June 16, 2013 10:05:00 pm

Patrica June 16, 2013 10:30:00 pm

Hi! I liked this informative post!

Emily Moothart June 16, 2013 11:56:00 pm

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Tessa Zundel June 17, 2013 12:09:00 am

Jay June 20, 2013 8:29:00 am

No more coon problems . . .

Barbara September 24, 2013 2:04:16 am

Wow. Thats a really horrible way to kill an animal.

January 23, 2014 6:25:33 pm

Wow. I have to chime in and say thats an awful thing to do

protect them from being attacked by predators in the first place.

Heather June 20, 2013 10:06:00 am

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Charly So cool! For extra proteinR Have you heard about

Why we eat meat & the

Black Soldier Fly Larvae? GoogleR. Eats foodscraps, is not a

Jul 26, 2011

Malerie June 24, 2013 1:41:00 pm

and this is REALLY helpful. Heres a question, though: we dont

Keith June 30, 2013 8:29:00 am

We call the hens chooks.

Brenda June 25, 2013 10:39:00 am

Dana June 25, 2013 9:15:00 pm

June 26, 2013 2:46:00 pm

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead

Meredith there a gluten-free substitute that will fill the same

Jack Handy July 01, 2013 8:54:00 pm

November 16, 2013 6:27:47 pm

Jamie @afamilieslove (http://www.afamilieslove.com) as

LisaB June 26, 2013 4:21:00 pm

Boris Bartlog June 30, 2013 8:23:00 am

Shaye Elliott (http://www.theelliotthomestead.com/)

The more variety the better!

November 16, 2013 6:29:10 pm

they do need the salts in the kelp, as well as the micro

Homemade Chicken Feed. Organic and soy-free! | The Elliott Homestead