By PAUL WHEATON
I used to sell my chickens for almost exactly the same price I paid for feed. And the story for the eggs was pretty much the same. This is not sustainable.
So I started exploring ways to cut feed costs and ended up on techniques that not only eliminate feed costs, but also provides a far higher quality of feed! My goal was to cut my chicken feed bill by 80% or more.
When I was first trying to figure out a better solution, I was thinking about growing all the stuff that comes in a bag of feed. Grain mostly.
So then I was thinking that I would harvest it, store it, and feed it to the chickens later. Wow, a lot of work. And I’m a lazy bastard. So what can I do to be lazier? Can I get the chickens to maybe harvest some of it? I’ll plant the grain and put the chickens where the grain is and they will figure out how to get it? I see other birds doing that.
In time my plans grew bigger and bigger. After all, if you let the chickens into the garden, they will eat damn near everything. While that leaves less garden for me, that also makes for less chicken feed bill.
Source: Irene Kightley
So then I got the idea of planting a lot of perennial stuff that chickens like. And how about stuff that is annual, but manages to reseed itself? And fruit trees? Berry canes?
This whole path became richer and richer and richer. And now …. ladies and gentlemen, I present to you …. a system where I spend absolutely zero on chicken feed. And the chickens eat a far richer diet than moldy, dried up, commercial “chicken feed.”
Wanting something that the chickens can harvest themselves, I considered two angles: 1) most chicken food per acre per year, and 2) most chicken food per acre in January.
Imagine an area for the chickens which has an enormous mulberry tree dropping fruit throughout June, July and August. There is a plethora of clover, alfalfa, grains, sunflowers, buckwheat, peas, and lentils in the more open areas. Fruit and nut trees are surrounded by siberian pea shrubs, chickweed, comfrey, dandelion, amaranth, nettles, and sunchokes. Maybe some raspberries and blueberries are in the mix too.
Assuming it is summer, why would a chicken eat dried up “chicken feed” with this bounty at hand?
Generally I have a lot more chickens in the summer time, before many get moved to the freezer, but I still need winter chicken feed. What, specifically, to grow depends on a lot of factors.
Source: Irene Kightley
How much room do you have; how cold does it get; what is your soil like; how much does it rain …. Some plants produce more food per acre per year than other plants. And some produce food for a just a week and others produce food for six months.
The best producers appear to be mulberry trees (lots of fruit dropped constantly over three months) and wheat (when grown with the Fukuoka-Bonfils winter wheat method). Sepp Holzer pushes a perennial rye and sunchokes as the core chicken/pig feeds.
I advocate using the chicken paddock shift system. And along with that, I think that the lion’s share of the people food should be grown in those same paddocks. A lot of the stuff we eat is great chicken food! And the chickens clean up anything we drop and anything we leave behind. Less waste.
So, my top 10 list of the best perennial chicken feed is a work in progress, but mulberry trees definitely makes my #1 spot. They are perennial and are heavy producers of feed all summer. And, they actually contain protein! They sound rather dreamy for chicken feed!
Other crops I’m experimenting with:
- Kale
- Siberian pea shrub
- Raspberries (they will take the low berries and will leave the high berries)
- Fall field peas/lentils that dried and are still sitting out there at chicken head level
- Winter keeper apples that are still falling off the tree
- Other fruit? Brazilian cherry, peaches, sea buckthorn, figs, honey locust seeds?
- Grasses, clover
- Grains such as amaranth, quinoa and wheat
Chickens are omnivores and will eat meat protein. I’ve actually seen a chicken catch and eat a mouse. Don’t believe me?
The protein source for chickens is typically insects. In the winter, a little extra protein makes an ENORMOUS difference in laying quantity. I experimented with leaving some meal worms in some chicken feed for a few weeks and it pretty much translated into low protein chicken feed converting itself into high protein chicken feed with very little effort. It seems like a big winner and pretty cost effective.
Along this line, why not use maggots for chicken feed? Turn leftover meat waste, road kill, sickly critters, (not-so-pleasant things) into nutritious food for the chicken by feeding them the maggots that arise from fly eggs. The chickens love them!
And if you are really enthusiastic, chickens have been trained to eat slugs!
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Paul Wheaton is is the tyrannical ruler of two on-line communities. One is about permaculture and one is about software engineering. There is even one for Missoula. Paul has written several permaculture articles starting with one on lawn care that he presented at the MUD Project 17 years ago, including articles on raising chickens, cast iron and diatomaceous earth. Paul also regularly uploadspermaculture videos and permaculture podcasts. In his spare time, Paul has plans for world domination and is currently shopping for a hollowed out volcano in the Missoula area, with good submarine access.
See all of Paul’s contributions to Make it Missoula here.
Where’s the chicken feed?
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where is the info on the grow your chicken feed free?
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The “feed” is in the form of the plants he’s suggesting you grow. (and slugs).
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I cannot connect to your article about chickens and raising feed for them. I thought you would want to know.
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HI, Just wanted to let you know to beware of Honey Locust Seeds – depending on your climate they can go absolutely viral and become a massive and dangerous weed that drops spikes everywhere – dangerously infectious. Other than that, great ideas for chook feeding. I’ll implement some of them – luckily our chook run is under two mulberry trees.
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if you grow an Atomic Chicken you can make your own Volcano….
)
well of course you’d also need a super mole to dig from Missoula to the Ocean.
I think you need to re-think growing worms for a chicken treat as they are 19% protein
and will always replenish themselves as long as you add some edible stuff like last years
maple leaves ground up by the lawn mower bagged and left to sit all winter.
just one 1/2 thick 4X8 sheet of polystyrene board (silver side up) on top of my pit made from concrete blocks
keeps them nice and cool …. even in 90 degree weather
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“sickly” meat protein ???
You’re asking for disease trouble …
I fail to see where you’re growing enough high quality protein to get a reliable, high quality source of eggs. If this is just feeding some several dozen hens to generate a few eggs for home/farmstead use… go for it. But if you are trying to produce an egg a day for the egg sales, I suspect your diet is consistantly too low in protein to maintain egg production. Sounds like your chicken production is more of a hobby than a viable business enterprise. Can you really produce a 6-8 pound broiler fryer in a reasonable time frame – 8-12 weeks on your “free” diet?
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Reality check–regardless of his protein content, unless you are raising a breed of chickens bred specifically for meat, NOBODY will get an 8 pound broiler in 8 weeks. I’ve been raising chickens for 30 years. NOT going to happen. Second, I would like to note that chickens find protein in unlikely places on their own. I can assure you, in the spring, summer and fall the chickens find enough protein without all that help in simple bugs alone, so YES these suggestions would indeed provide more than ample protein. Oh, and don’t forget that curly dock, a noxious weed in 98% of the country contains lots of protein. Folks forget there is protein in some plants. Curly dock provides that protein and green foliage 10 and a half months of the year in zones 5 and up, 9 months out of the year in zone 4. Obviously this plan won’t work in Alaska so I won’t get into zone 3. For folks with questions, don’t forget to look up your zone for each of the plants the author suggested and plant accordingly. Dock grows tall and bushy and can shade more delicate plants as well and provides food for bugs which gives even more, unlisted protein to the chickens. Most things do double duty.
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Tremendous post Paul! Some great info brought together clearly and concisely.
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How about mesquite pods and other southwestern type pod trees?
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I have wondered about mesquite beans as well! Our property is covered in mesquite trees and the deer, cattle, and wild hogs LOVE the beans, but all the mesquites are on a part of the ranch the chickens don’t go. I’ve wanted to try bringing them some pods and see what the chicks and guineas do with them, but wasn’t sure if they are safe for them or not. I do know that the wild turkeys love them, and it apparently doesn’t kill them…
Since mesquite beans are relatively high in protein, and already abudant on our ranch; it could be a great source of food along with the other fruits, grains, and veggies they get. Provided some of our more picky eaters like them, lol!
Also wondered about the fruits from our prickly pear cactus plants. Anyone know if they are chicken safe? I would assume so, but I’m paranoid about feeding things until I know for sure they are safe, lol!
Thanks!
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Poor protein. And there is a chicken eating a mouse and the comment is poor protein? Troll much?
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My chickens free range and eat everything..mice, lizzards, frogs, smaller birds (yikes) I love the idea of planting some berry plants and such around the coop(s) I keep two, layers and Juvenile birds. Great shade potential in this Texas heat as well…I had a garden for us, but neglected to fence it, so the Chickers have had a grand time, Maybe if I plant them their own garden I can keep them out of mine (with a fence, haha) Good article!
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[...] http://www.makeitmissoula.com/2012/07/eliminate-the-cost-of-chicken-feed/ [...]
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[...] So those that want all of my stuff, see the link below about > my daily-ish email. > > http://www.makeitmissoula.com/2012/07/eliminate-the-cost-of-chicken-feed/ > > > > Here is my podcast from today about how to eliminate winter hay from a > [...]
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As an aside, the video game Chicken Invaders 4 (great game, btw) is a prophetic slant for the coming alien chicken invasion. The Illuminists are esoteric types and leave a lot of clues for those with eyes to see. And while we might laugh at the idea, the world powers are preparing underground bunkers for this event and when the alien chickens get here and find out we’ve been eating their progeny, they’re gonna be pissed. Real pissed. Everyone will die and only the vegetarians will be allowed to live as their slaves.
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THIS BROUGHT BACK GREAT MEMORIES OF WHEN I HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT LOG CABINS IN THE HATZIC PRAIRIE AREA NEAR MISSION, B.C. CANADA…A BEAUTIFUL AREA WITH MOUNTAINS & LAKES.
I HAD 8 HENS AND TWO ROOSTERS – TWO SEPARATE TIMES –
THE BOYS WERE –
MR. B.A. – SHORT FOR BLOND AMBITION – HE WAS ALL GOLD FEATHERS AND BIG – DIED OF THE DROPSY IN A BAD SNOW WINTER – THAT WAS WHEN I MOVED INTO TOWN…
JOLLY ROGER – 2ND IN COMMAND – AN AURACANA – SMALLER, YOUNGER, AND WHAT A CHARACTER! – USED TO JUMP ON MY BACK EVERY TIME I ENTERED THE COOP; AND GOT PICKED ON, CONSTANTLY, BY MR.B.A.
THE HENS WERE –
BARRED ROCKS AND RHODE ISLAND REDS WITH A COUPLE OF SILKIES THROWN IN, FOR GOOD MEASURE.
SOMEWHERE IS A LIST OF THE NAMES THEY HAD –
HENRIETTA
PENELOPE
ETC. …I’D HAVE TO LOOK UP THE LIST…I AM ALMOST 60 NOW, THAT’S MY GOOD EXCUSE…
MY FAVORITE TIME WITH THE CHICKENS IS WHEN I FED THEM SLUGS – JUST CALL OVER SOME FRIENDS AND SIT FOR A SPELL: AND WATCH THE CHICKENS CHASE EACH OTHER AROUND THE PEN TRYING TO STEAL A SLUG FROM THE HEN THAT GOT LUCKY…
AND, ONCE IN THE BEAK…IT WAS SLIME DROP CITY…THE SLIME WOULD JUST HANG THERE, OFF THE SIDE OF HER MOUTH AND FALL IN SUSPENDED ANIMATION, WHILE THE OTHERS PECKED AT THE SLIME…EWWW…YUMMY!!!…THIS WENT ON AS LONG AS YOU KEPT SITTING THERE, THROWING SLUGS INTO THE PEN…THEY NEVER SEEM TO GET TIRED OF SLUGS – A DELICACY IN CHICKENDOM, I HEAR.
LOL.
BLESSINGS, LAYNA
VANCOUVER, CANADA.
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indudablemente siempre se busca reducir los costos del consumo para el beneficiario que cría pollos,entiendo que es un gran negocio y que son omnivoros por eso se los despica cruelmente con una guillotina al rojo y le cortan el pico para que no se lastimen y perjudiquen la venta…en fin es una cuestión de culturas de arrastre.te gusta el olor del colesterol al espiedo…riquisimo. verdad. un buen asado. una rica hamburgueza investigar como mejorar la produccion.pues para mis hijas no!Ni nacieron con leche de vaca…estudiar con los cientificos, medicos holisticos,medicos oncologos ,lo que produce lo que tanto placer te causa…la vida es dura si quieres esa eleccion pero tan deliciosa y sana como la de un carnivoro.que come vaca pllo pescado huevo ,leche…te crees caso que no hay grandes agapes que carecen de carne ,de fetos humanos o de bebes como cmen los vietnamitas vip…pue si existe ese mundo y hacia alla vamos …no viviremos màs pero de seguro viviremos mejor. y mejor para el amor a nuestros niños
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Thanks for this! We have bought a new property and I’ve been thinking about my garden/orchard design and how the chickens will be incorporated, I wasn’t sure if they could live off the plants in the orchard, but it sounds like that will work fine. I’m looking forward to putting it into action. Great work!
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Thanks for topic. I am planning to go on breeding game fowl and with a combination of home grown feeds and commercial feeds will save me to pay for labor. This will bring a good profit for my start up breeding program.
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Great article, but it’s missing some pieces of the puzzle for me: let’s imagine I buy some young chicks (5 days old) – is there any truely natural way of feeding them, instead of buying the industrialized growth meal preparations? Anyone who could help me in studying this topic is welcome! Thank you.
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Buy yourself the book ‘How To Raise Chickens’! It contains all the info you need from Coop’s to Peeps, then Eggs!
Seriously! I’ve had from 6 to 26 chickens over the past 10 years, all raised from 2 day old peeps! An adequate coop and supplemental lighting when the days give less than 15 hours of daylight are just as important as the food if you want happy, healthy hens! There are some excellent links for poultry on Pinterest! Hope you have success!
Sincerely,
Anna MCE
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I’m at a loss right now! Got 18 hens & 1 rooster about April. Turned them loose in my horse barn–they did a fantastic job with the bug population, if you know anything about Texas, we have BUGS! They took care of the bugs and had a ball in the horse poop & the cow poop! we had eggs coming out of the woodwork–daily. Then one day 4 hens came up missing, the next day 4 more! So we closed in 3 of the horse stalls in my 20 stall barn and put them in the barn. We found out the coyotes were getting them!! We replaced the chickens we lost and now I only get 1 maybe 2 eggs a day–they eat pellets & scratch and all the left over produce from my daily cooking-we eat lots of veggies. I not sure if I should let them back out of their compound–will they come back in every night? What if I can’t get them to come back in their compound? If they stay outside they will surely die! Any ideas folks? We have tons of coyotes & bob cats! They just seemed so much happier when they were outside???
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They will naturally seek out a safe place to roost, if provided. We put up a 6 ft high. chicken wire fenced area that is buried eight inches and curved to discourage fox from digging. We’ve never lost a hen until my hubby missed some days of closing them in at night,and raccoons killed 3 of them! We let them out several hours before nightfall so they can forage. The garden is next to the chicken yard…and with some coaxing from us they go in at night(usually on their own) for a safe spot on the roost. I do live on a large farm property surrounded with wheatfields and acres and acres of natural woodland and streams,next to a watershed, leaving us vulnerable to invaders(no bobcats,thank goodness!) Save a treat to encourage them to come in.Something put aside that they don’t have regular access to. Get redworms for composting and raise them as a protein treat! Once established, they flourish on your clean scraps and can be added to your manure pile before it starts to “cook”. It may help with luring the girls in at night, all the while making gorgeous compost and beautiful eggs! We don’t keep roosters because we don’t like how they treat the ladies! It will take some time with your already mature hens, but when you get your next flock, give them a secure roost from day 1. Buy the book called ‘How to Raise Chickens’. It has all the info you’ll need, and answers all your questions! Good luck! Sincerely, AnnaMCE
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Thank you Anna! I will get the book today! Much appreciate all the info!
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My chickens also killed snakes & mice. If i was working in the garden and found snakes I killed them (only the bad ones) and they had a feast! I also gave them mice we trapped. They would also eat the dead fish on the side of the pond–sometimes birds come in a kill a fish and don’t eat it all–they take care of it! They are great garbage disposals!
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I watched a hen chase down a small frog, catch it, and then proceed to beat it to death so she could eat it. While I was a bit distressed because I love frogs almost as much as I love chickens, I was proud of my hen for seizing the opportunity for a protein-rich snack.
Once every 7 years, when the cicadas come out, my hens get a downright feast. I grab what cicadas I can get hold of, and the hens grab whichever ones they can find, and between us the girls have a good old time for those few weeks when the noisy things overrun our property.
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[...] Eliminate the Cost of Chicken Feed [...]
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[...] The wooded section of our yard also has several mulberry trees which are said to provide excellent forage for chickens. Unfortunately, the trees are all along the property line and not in suitable places for locating our paddocks. Also one of our neighbors has an apple tree that they do not tend, which means fallen fruit every year. Other neighbors have walnuts that fall annually. I’m not above (with permission, of course!) gathering fallen fruit for the chickees. For more thoughts on crops to plant for your chickens, click here. [...]
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Insect, snail probably organic, high in protein. Free, and you can reducing amount of bug on your backyard.
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