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When I started raising chickens, I actually stressed over if I was buying the right food for my chickens. If you have space in your backyard, rearing chickens is an excellent idea! While having a chicken for a pet is always an option, some of us have chickens for food. One of the main reasons for rearing our own chickens is that we control what they are fed. Rearing chickens in your backyard allows you to control the food they consume, resulting in meat and eggs with fewer chemicals.
Chickens can be fed various foods, including poultry pellets, grains (such as wheat and corn), fruits, vegetables, and other superfoods for protein.
That said, here’s a look at some of the foods you can feed your backyard chickens.
Poultry Pellet
This is a staple food for chickens. It is easily available at any feed store. We encourage you to buy a high-quality pellet that adequately meets your backyard chickens’ nutritional needs. While you are there, a sturdy dispenser for the feed is advisable. This will help keep the feet clean and dry.
This is also a great option if you want to have an automatic chicken feeder.
Grain
While at the feed store, you can also pick up some wheat or corn. This can be scattered randomly between feedings, depending on your schedule. Chickens also love rolled oats. So, if you have oats for breakfast in the morning, you can put some aside! Wholemeal rice is also a good option.
Cooked Foods
Chickens will also eat cooked foods! You can offer them bread, pasta, and beans. I do not recommend canned beans since we are unsure how the preservatives will affect the chickens.
Fruits and Vegetables
Chickens can have many raw fruits and vegetables. Depending on what is available in your region, you can feed your chickens, cabbage, coconuts, bananas, chickweed, silverbeet, and so on.
When you peel your fruits or vegetables, you can also toss them the peelings! They will love it! However, always make sure that your peelings are not spoiled or rancid.
Water
As a side note, you need to make sure that the chickens always have an adequate supply of water. They need water to aid in the digestion of the pellet and grain in particular. Some people put a little garlic in the water since garlic is a natural antibiotic. A chicken waterer is the best as it will ensure a continuous supply.
All in all, finding food for chickens is easy! What you eat is good is enough for your chickens!
