A chicken, naturally inclined to roam around in the field, freely pecking at seeds, is a common rural sight that also serves as an intricate part of the plant and wildlife ecosystem. The hen could be gobbling up a mix of nuts, sunflower seeds, and perhaps even a pellet or two, which often contain a balanced amount of ingredients like calcium, crucial for egg production, and seeds that further enrich their diet and contribute to the environment.
I get asked a lot of questions about what food is safe for chickens and what you should never feed your hens. The queries can revolve around fruits, vegetables, meats, bugs, mealworms, and even herbs. I’ll answer the grain questions here in the hopes that it will help you with your backyard chicken farming adventures.
When it comes to nourishing your backyard chickens, grains are a dietary staple. Mixed in are often ingredients such as sunflower seeds, oyster shell pieces for added calcium, and even crushed nuts. These provide essential carbohydrates and a variety of other nutrients, including protein from sunflower seeds, vital for your chickens’ health and well-being.
Knowing the amount of grain mixed into their diet can help ensure your chickens stay healthy. Grains can make up anywhere from 50% to 70% or more of a commercial chicken feed. Depending on the formulation, the specific types of grains can include corn, wheat, barley, oats, and others.
Additionally, commercial poultry feed formulations are carefully balanced to ensure chickens receive the right proportion of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients besides grains. Chicken feed often contains ingredients such as sunflower seeds or oyster shell, and protein sources, such as soybean meal, fish meal, or even eggs, are also included in the feed to meet the chickens’ protein requirements, especially for growth, feather development, and egg production.
It’s important to note that the exact composition of commercial chicken feed, from the amount of sunflower seeds to the percentage of oyster shell, can vary from one manufacturer to another, and different formulations may be designed for specific life stages or purposes (e.g., starter feed for chicks, grower feed for young chickens, layer feed for laying hens, or broiler feed for meat chickens). To know which feed to buy and serve your hens, consider the stage of the chicken’s life and its role in the environment.
Before changing your commercial feed for homemade grain mix, complete with sunflower seeds, nuts, and perhaps even pellet additions, you need to know that chickens cannot survive on bread alone. 🥖 You can, however, supplement a commercial feed with grains and other enriching ingredients like oyster shell fragments that resonate with their natural habitat and plant-rich environment.
Essential Carbohydrates and More
Grains are rich in carbohydrates, which serve as the fuel that keeps your chickens active, warm, and engaged in their natural behaviors, such as scratching the ground and helping in the spread of plant seeds in the environment. The addition of sunflower seeds and other such ingredients in the right amount can further enhance their diet.
Carbohydrates aren’t the only nutrient grains provide. Grains also offer a variety of other nutrients, often found within seeds, that chickens need for optimal health.
- Protein: While grains are not as protein-rich as other chicken feed components like legumes or insects, they still contribute a significant portion of the overall protein intake. Protein is crucial for feather growth, egg production, and muscle development.
- Fiber: The fiber content in grains helps support your chickens’ digestive health. It aids in the breakdown of other feed components and contributes to overall gut well-being.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Different grains contain varying amounts of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, iron, and zinc. These micronutrients are essential for various metabolic processes and overall health.
Variety of Grains for Chickens
A chicken pecking at corn kernels, sunflower seeds, and other varying grains is a sight to behold. The beauty of feeding chickens grains lies in the sheer variety of options available. Chickens are not picky eaters, and they happily consume a wide range of grains along with occasional oyster shell pieces or eggs for an additional calcium and protein boost.
As you explore the world of urban chicken nutrition, remember that balance is key. Be sure to include other food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, and protein sources like eggs or nuts, to ensure your chickens receive a complete and balanced diet. Meanwhile, these free-ranging chickens play their part in maintaining the environment, spreading plant seeds wherever they roam.
Corn
Corn has become a mainstay in the chick’s diet and proves to be quite popular in chicken feeds. This can be attributed to its easy availability, affordability, and its undeniable appeal to chickens. Indeed, feeding corn works effectively and enhances the chickens’ health and growth.
Nutritional Value for Chickens: Corn is a fantastic source of energy for chickens. It’s rich in carbohydrates, which provide the fuel needed for your chick’s day-to-day work—routine activities, whether they’re scratching for treats or exploring their coop. Given in the right amount, corn also contains moderate levels of protein, making it a valuable addition to their diet when supplemented with items like nuts and seeds.
Feeding corn to your chickens comes with options. You can offer it as whole kernels, which encourages natural pecking behaviors, or as cracked corn, which is easier for chicks to consume. Mixing pieces of oyster shell into their grain can provide a much-needed calcium boost, vital for egg production. Remember to provide corn in moderation as part of a balanced diet, as it’s an energy-dense grain.
Role in Chicken Diets: Wheat is another grain that plays a crucial role in chicken diets, nourishing them for their daily work. Just like sunflower seeds and other ingredients, it’s commonly used in various types of chick feeds, contributing to their overall nutritional needs.
Wheat
Role in Chicken Diets: Wheat is another grain that plays a crucial role in chicken diets. It’s commonly used in various types of chicken feeds, contributing to their overall nutritional needs.
Nutritional Benefits: Wheat offers a combination of carbohydrates and protein, similar to sunflower seeds. It provides a steady source of energy, helping chickens stay active and maintain body temperature, which is essential for them to perform their work properly. Wheat is also rich in essential amino acids, supporting muscle development and feather quality.
Whole Wheat vs. Wheat Bran vs. Flax Seed: You might come across whole wheat, flax seed and wheat bran when considering nutritional resources for your chick’s daily work. Whole wheat contains the entire kernel, offering a balance of nutrients. Flax seed, similar to wheat bran, is a high-fiber ingredient that can contribute to a chicken’s diet. Wheat bran, on the other hand, is the outer layer of the wheat kernel and is high in fiber. While both grains and seeds have their place, whole wheat is often preferred for its comprehensive nutritional profile.
Barley
Use in Chicken Feeds: Barley might not be as commonly known as corn or wheat, but it’s a valuable grain in chicken feeds. Its use can vary depending on region and availability.
Incorporating Barley: If you’re considering incorporating barley into your chickens’ diets, you have several options. You can feed it whole, cracked, or even sprouted for added variety. Putting barley in a crumble may be another interesting way to feed your chickens and diversify their meals while providing essential nutrients.
Use in Chicken Feeds: Barley might not be as commonly known as corn or wheat, but it’s a valuable grain in chicken feeds. Its use can vary depending on region and availability. If you have a hen in your chicken coop, you might want to consider adding a mix of barley, pellets, and kitchen scraps from your garden to her diet to increase her work productivity and health.
Nutritional Content: Barley is similar to wheat and corn. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber, which supports healthy digestion in chickens. Another helpful addition can be crushed eggshells or oyster shells for added calcium.
Less Common Grains for Chickens
While common grains like corn, wheat, and barley are staples in chicken feeds, there’s a world of less common grains that can add variety and nutritional value to your flock’s diet. In this section, we’ll explore three such grains: oats, millet, and quinoa.
Oats
Use in Chicken Feeds: Oats are a versatile grain breed that’s used in chicken feeds. They serve as a primary ingredient at times, especially when used in conjunction with supplements like garden scraps, pellets, or even eggshells and oyster shells.
Benefits of Feeding Oats: Oats offer an excellent source of carbohydrates and provide a steady release of energy throughout the day. Paired with kitchen scraps from your garden, this could be a winning combination at meal times. Oats are also rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, and they contain essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals that contribute to enhancing your flock’s overall health.
Serving Ideas: Get creative with oats by serving them to your chickens in various ways at different times. You can sprinkle them on the ground for your chickens to forage, mix them with other grains as a treat, or even prepare oatmeal by cooking the oats and letting them cool before feeding.
Millet
Alternative Grain for Chickens: Millet, an under-recognized grain breed, can be teamed well with scraps from your garden or kitchen at certain times, thus making it an alternative ingredient worth considering for your flock.
Nutritional Value: Millet is a small, round grain that contains essential amino acids, making it a valuable addition to their diet. Millet is particularly known for its high protein content. It pairs well with a calcium-rich feed made from crushed eggshells or oyster shells.
Nutritional Benefits: Quinoa offers a unique profile of essential nutrients. It’s an excellent source of protein, rich in amino acids, and contains vitamins and minerals that, paired with garden scraps and pellets at feeding times, can benefit your chickens’ health.
Serving Ideas: To introduce millet to your chickens at meal times, you can scatter it on the ground to encourage natural foraging behaviors. Alternatively, you can mix it with their regular feed or offer it as a standalone treat. Millet sprays, which can be hung in the coop, provide both entertainment and nutrition for your birds.
Quinoa
Nutritional Benefits: Quinoa offers a unique profile of essential nutrients. It’s an excellent source of protein, rich in amino acids, and contains vitamins and minerals that benefit your chickens’ health.
Suitability in Their Diet: Quinoa, an uncommon grain breed for chickens, can be a valuable addition to your chickens’ diet due to its protein content and balanced nutritional profile. It can be an excellent choice for providing essential nutrients, especially when used in conjunction with other ingredients at specific times.
Preparing Quinoa: To incorporate quinoa into their diet at meal times, rinse it thoroughly to remove any bitterness. You can cook it and let it cool before serving. Consider mixing it with other grains or items like leftover kitchen scraps or oyster shell-based feed for a treat.
Grains as Treats and Supplements
While grains, garden scraps, and pellets, derived from different breeds, are fundamental parts of a chicken’s diet, they can also serve as delicious treats and nutritious supplements at various times. In this section, we’ll explore how rice, lentils, beans, and other organic food such as mealworms and scratch grains can be used to provide variety and additional nutrients to your flock’s meals. These meals can be served to a variety of poultry, including chicks and roosters.
Rice
On the farm, both novice and experienced chicken keepers know that a diverse diet for your flock can enhance their overall health. Rice, with its soft, fluffy texture and mild taste, is an appealing treat that contributes to this variety. Similar to rice, plants from your farmstead garden could also contribute to the meal’s diversity. However, chicken farmers should be mindful to select only chicken-friendly plants.
Rice as a Treat: Its soft, fluffy texture and mild taste make it an appealing addition to their diet.
Offering Rice as a Supplement: When using rice as a supplement, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of cooking the rice before serving it to your chickens or chicks. This ensures it’s safe, easily digestible, and as soothing as water to their digestive systems.
Serving Tips: You can offer cooked rice as a standalone treat on the farm, or mix it with other grains, vegetables or even mealworms as a treat. You may consider adding herbs or small pieces of fruit to create a more enticing treat. Be mindful that treats should be given in moderation to avoid disturbing the health and balance of their diet.
Lentils
Protein-Rich Supplement: Lentils, beans, and even organic crops from your garden are protein-rich ingredients that can be a valuable supplement for your chickens, especially during periods when they require extra protein, such as during molt or when growing.
Preparation and Feeding Guidelines: To prepare lentils or scratch grains for your chickens, cook them thoroughly and ensure they are soft and easily chewable. They can be served whole or mashed, depending on your chickens’ size and age, whether they are mature roosters or younger chicks.
Variety in Their Diet: Lentils can provide variety in your chickens’ diet, especially if you, as their keeper, also add scratch grains and other food from different plants. Remember to monitor their intake and adjust portions as needed to maintain soil, water and dietary balance.
Beans
Cooking Beans for Chickens: Raw beans contain compounds that can be harmful if consumed in significant quantities. Cooking eliminates these potential toxins, making beans safe for your farm’s flock.
Benefits and Risks: Beans are a good source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients however they can also cause gas in chickens, hence it’s advisable to introduce beans gradually to their diet and keep a close eye on their response.
Incorporating Cooked Beans: Cooked beans can be offered as a side dish, mixed with other grains and vegetables, or as a treat on their own. Experiment with different bean varieties like black beans, to provide your poultry, including roosters, variety in their diet.
By incorporating rice, lentils, and beans as treats and supplements, you can add diversity to your chickens’ meals and provide them with valuable nutrients. Remember to practice moderation, ensure proper cooking for safety, and monitor your chickens’ response to these additions to maintain a balanced and healthy diet for your flock.
Storage and Quality: Ensuring Fresh and Nutrient-Rich Grains
In the realm of poultry care, chicken keepers often have to tackle aspects such as grain and poultry mealworms storage. This is an important area that ensures the quality and safety of the feed given to the chickens.
Air-tight containers with grain and mealworms inside are often seen on many chicken keepers’ farms.
To preserve the freshness of your grains, follow these storage guidelines, ensuring they’re kept in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight to maintain their nutritional value.
In this section, we’ll explore the importance of proper grain storage.
Guidance on Storing Grains
To preserve the freshness of your grains, follow these storage guidelines:
- Keep It Dry: Moisture is the enemy of grain storage. Store your grains in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and spoilage.
- Seal It Tight: Use airtight containers or food-grade storage bins to keep out moisture, pests, and contaminants.
- Monitor for Pests: Regularly inspect your grain storage area for signs of pests like rodents or insects. Consider using traps or deterrents to keep them at bay.
- Rotate Stock: Use the oldest grains first and continually rotate your grain supply to ensure you’re feeding the freshest grains to your chickens.
- Avoid Sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can cause grains to deteriorate and lose nutritional value. Store grains in a dark place or opaque containers.
Q&A Can Chickens Eat That?
I get asked a lot of questions about what foods are safe for chickens and what foods you should never feed them. The queries can revolve around fruits, vegetables, meats, bugs, and even herbs. I’ll answer the grain questions here in the hopes that it will help you with your backyard chicken farming adventures.
- Can chickens eat rice?
- Yes, chickens can eat rice. Rice is a safe and digestible grain for chickens. It should be cooked, and avoid adding salt.
- Can chickens eat oatmeal?
- Yes, chickens can eat oatmeal. You can cook it or serve it dry, but avoid sugary or flavored varieties.
- Can chickens eat wheat?
- Yes, chickens can eat wheat.
- Can chickens eat corn?
- Yes, chickens can eat corn. Corn is a popular and energy-rich grain that is commonly included in chicken feeds. It can be fed whole or cracked.
- Can chickens eat cornbread?
- Chickens can eat small amounts of plain cornbread as an occasional treat. However, it should not be a primary part of their diet because it can be high in fat and calories.
- Can chickens eat cereal?
- Chickens can eat plain, unsweetened cereal in moderation. It’s best to offer cereals with minimal or no sugar and avoid those with artificial additives.
- Can chickens eat quinoa?
- Yes, chickens can eat quinoa.
- Can chickens eat barley?
- Yes, chickens can eat barley. Barley is a cereal grain that is suitable for chickens and is often used in poultry feeds.
- Can chickens eat millet?
- Yes, chickens can eat millet.
- Can chickens eat lentils?
- Chickens can eat lentils, but they should be cooked or soaked before feeding. Lentils are a source of protein and can be given in moderation.
- Can chickens eat beans?
- Chickens can eat cooked beans in moderation. However, raw beans contain compounds that can be toxic, so they must be fully cooked and never fed in excessive amounts.
I hope this post has helped you learn what grains and other organic foods to feed your chickens and how to prepare them. Happy chicken keeping!