The Ultimate Guide to Making Homemade Chicken Feed (2025 Edition)

Are you tired of paying premium prices for store-bought chicken feed? Or maybe you’re concerned about what exactly is in that feed bag and how it might affect your flock’s health? I’ve been there too, and after years of experimenting with different recipes, I’m excited to share my comprehensive guide on how to make homemade chicken feed that’s nutritious, cost-effective, and tailored to your flock’s specific needs

Why Make Your Own Chicken Feed?

Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about why you might want to make your own chicken feed:

• Cost savings – While not always cheaper initially, homemade feed can save money long-term
• Control over ingredients – You decide what goes in (and what stays out)
• Adaptability – Easily adjust based on your chickens’ needs or seasonal requirements
• Reduced waste – Chickens tend to be less picky with well-formulated homemade feed
• Satisfaction – There’s something rewarding about providing for your flock from scratch

Let me be real with ya – making your own chicken feed isn’t necessarily gonna save you tons of money right off the bat. In fact, sometimes it costs more upfront to source quality ingredients. But the health benefits and peace of mind? Totally worth it for many of us homesteaders.

Understanding Chicken Nutritional Needs

Before mixing up your own feed, it’s important to understand what chickens actually need nutritionally:

The Five Main Nutritional Components

1. Carbohydrates – Primary energy source (grains like corn, wheat, barley)
2. Proteins – Essential for muscle, feather, and egg development (15-18% for layers)
3. Fats – Energy source and helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins
4. Minerals – For bone strength, egg production, and body functions
5. Vitamins – Various health benefits and immune system support

Different types of chickens have different needs

Simple Homemade Layer Feed Recipe (17.5% Protein)

This recipe makes about 28 pounds of feed and costs approximately $22-25 to make (about $0.80/lb compared to $1/lb for commercial non-GMO feed).

Ingredients

• 19 cups split peas
• 14 cups hard red wheat
• 12 cups barley
• 10 cups millet
• 8 cups oats
• 1/2 cup kelp
• 1/2 cup garlic powder
• 1/2 cup food grade diatomaceous earth

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large tub or container
2. Store in a cool, dry place in airtight containers
3. Feed approximately 1/4 lb (about 1/2 cup) per hen each day
4. You can add black oil sunflower seeds occasionally to boost protein content

Nutritional Analysis

• Protein: 17.5%
• Crude fat: 2.1%

This recipe is perfect for laying hens and provides balanced nutrition without corn or soy. Each ingredient serves a specific purpose

• Split peas – High protein content (the backbone of this recipe)
• Hard red wheat – Good energy source and adds protein
• Barley – High in fiber (but should be limited to no more than 20% of diet)
• Millet – Rich in iron and amino acids
• Oats – Adds calcium, fiber, and B vitamins
• Kelp – Provides omega-3s for beautiful orange yolks
• Garlic powder – Natural immune system booster
• Diatomaceous earth – Keeps bugs out of feed and serves as a natural wormer

Justin Rhodes’ Simple Homemade Chicken Feed Formula

For those who want an even simpler approach, here’s a formula from permaculture chicken expert Justin Rhodes:

Ingredients

• 30% Corn
• 30% Wheat
• 20% Peas
• 10% Oats
• 10% Fish Meal
• 2% Poultry Nutri-Balancer
• Free Choice Kelp
• Free Choice Aragonite (calcium source)

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Feed as you would any commercial feed
3. Provide the kelp and aragonite (or crushed eggshells) separately so chickens can self-regulate their intake

I love this recipe for its simplicity – you don’t even need to grind the grains! Just feed them whole, which also helps keep the nutritional content intact longer.

Common Challenges & Solutions

Challenge #1: Picky Eaters

Many chicken keepers report that their hens pick out their favorite bits and leave the rest (often the high-protein items like peas).

Solutions:

• Grind or crack the ingredients to make them less distinguishable
• Ferment the feed (more on that below)
• Try soaking and sprouting legumes to make them more appealing
• Gradually transition to the new feed by mixing it with their current feed

Challenge #2: Finding Ingredients

Some ingredients can be difficult to source, especially in small quantities.

Solutions:

• Check local feed mills (some will custom mix for you)
• Look for bulk food stores like WinCo
• Order online through places like Azure Standard
• Connect with other local chicken keepers to split large orders
• Substitute ingredients with similar nutritional profiles

Challenge #3: Storage

Homemade feed doesn’t contain preservatives and can attract pests.

Solutions:

• Store in airtight containers
• Add diatomaceous earth to the mix
• Make smaller batches more frequently
• Keep in a cool, dry place

Fermented Chicken Feed: Next-Level Nutrition

Fermenting your homemade chicken feed is like giving your chickens a superfood boost! The process increases nutrient availability, improves digestibility, and introduces beneficial probiotics.

How to Ferment Chicken Feed

1. Place a portion of dry feed in a bucket or container
2. Add enough water to cover the feed plus 2-3 inches
3. Cover with a breathable lid (not airtight)
4. Stir twice daily
5. Ready to use when bubbles appear and it smells slightly sour (like sourdough)
6. Strain excess water before feeding

Fermented feed typically takes 3-5 days to reach optimal fermentation. Your chickens will go crazy for it, and you’ll likely notice shinier feathers and more vibrant egg yolks within weeks!

Supplements and Add-ins

Sometimes your base feed needs a little boost. Here are some great supplements to consider:

• Black oil sunflower seeds – Adds protein, improves feather condition
• Flaxseed – Increases omega-3s in eggs
• Dried mealworms – Protein boost (chickens go nuts for these!)
• Oyster shells – Calcium source (essential for layers)
• Crushed eggshells – Alternative calcium source
• Fresh herbs – Various health benefits (oregano, thyme, mint)
• Grit – Helps chickens digest feed (not the same as calcium!)

Cost Analysis: Is Homemade Feed Worth It?

I’ll be straight with you – homemade feed isn’t always cheaper than commercial feed, especially if you’re using premium ingredients. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Commercial conventional feed: $15-20 per 50 lbs ($0.30-0.40/lb)
• Commercial organic/non-GMO feed: $30-50 per 50 lbs ($0.60-1.00/lb)
• Homemade basic feed: $20-30 per 25-30 lbs ($0.70-1.00/lb)

However, the real value comes from:

• Customizing to your flock’s needs
• Avoiding unwanted ingredients
• Potentially improving egg quality and chicken health
• The satisfaction of self-sufficiency

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making your own chicken feed, watch out for these pitfalls:

1. Ignoring protein requirements – Too little protein leads to poor growth and egg production
2. Skipping calcium for layers – Results in thin-shelled eggs and potential health issues
3. Using too much of one ingredient – Balance is key (corn shouldn’t exceed 30%)
4. Forgetting about grit – Essential for digestion of whole grains
5. Introducing new feed too quickly – Always transition gradually

My Personal Experience

I’ve been making my own chicken feed for about 3 years now, and I can tell you it’s been a journey of trial and error! When I first switched my girls over, egg production dropped a bit (about 11%) during the first month, but then bounced back nicely.

The biggest challenge I faced was getting my hens to eat the split peas – they would literally pick around them! After some research, I started sprouting the peas first, and what a difference that made. Now they gobble everything up.

One unexpected benefit? My eggs have these gorgeous, deep orange yolks now that my customers at the farmers market actually comment on. They say the eggs taste better too, and I believe them!

Final Thoughts

Making your own chicken feed isn’t something to stress over. Remember, chickens survived for thousands of years before commercial feed existed! Do your best with what’s available to you, and your flock will likely thrive.

Start with one of the recipes above, then adjust as needed based on what your chickens seem to prefer and how they perform. Keep notes on what works and what doesn’t, and don’t be afraid to experiment.

At the end of the day, homemade chicken feed is about taking control of what goes into your flock’s diet, which ultimately affects what ends up on your family’s table. It’s one more step toward self-sufficiency and responsible stewardship of your animals.

Have you tried making your own chicken feed? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

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Note: This guide is based on my personal experience and research. Always monitor your flock’s health and adjust their diet as needed. What works for my chickens may need tweaking for yours!

In the old days, chickens were fed a mix of what was available on the farm, which included foraging for insects, seeds, and plants, consuming household scraps like bread and vegetables, and eating spilled grains and crops like corn and wheat.