Complete Guide to Homemade Chicken Feed (With Recipe)

Thinking about making your own chicken feed? Great choice! Not only does it give you full control over what your hens eat, but it’s also a fantastic way to make use of food waste. With an Earthy food recycler, you can turn kitchen scraps into a nutritious addition to your flock’s diet while reducing your environmental impact. Let’s break it down.

What Do Chickens Need in Their Diet?

For happy hens and high-quality eggs, a well-balanced diet is key. A healthy hen can lay an egg nearly every day when fed properly. Here’s what should be in their feed:

  • Protein: Essential for egg production—16-18% of their diet should be protein, coming from plant-based sources like grains and nuts, or animal-based proteins like fish meal and bones.

  • Carbohydrates: Provide energy and fuel. Skip the bread and opt for corn, millet, or barley.

  • Fats & Fatty Acids: Help chickens absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K while also providing energy. Linoleic acid, found in vegetable oils, nuts, and animal fats, is particularly beneficial.

  • Minerals: Macrominerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium are essential, as are microminerals like zinc, copper, and iron. Calcium (from oyster shells or limestone) strengthens eggshells.

  • Vitamins: Chickens need vitamins B, K, D, C, and A for metabolism, strong bones, and healthy eggshells. Extra vitamin C can even reduce stress in your flock.

Different Types of Chicken Feed

Just like us, chickens have different dietary needs at different stages of life:

  • Starter Feed (0-6 weeks): High protein (20-21%) to support rapid growth.

  • Grower Feed (6-20 weeks): Moderate protein (17-18%) to ensure strong development.

  • Layer Feed (20 weeks+): A complete mix with the right nutrients for egg production, including added calcium for strong shells.

According to the British Hen Welfare Trust, feeding the right balance of nutrients is crucial for healthy hens and top-quality eggs.

Is Making Your Own Chicken Feed Worth It?

A 20kg bag of commercial chicken feed can cost anywhere from £6 to £40, depending on quality and whether it’s organic. While making your own feed requires more effort, it can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice.

Why make your own? Lower environmental impact using locally sourced grains.
Less waste by incorporating food scraps.
Full control over ingredients—no preservatives or unwanted additives.

What’s the catch? Can be tricky to get the nutrient balance just right.
May not always be cheaper than shop-bought feed.
Requires equipment for grinding and mixing ingredients.

Can Chickens Eat Food Scraps?

Yes! But some scraps are better than others.

Safe scraps: Cooked proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, and crushed eggshells (great for added calcium). Your Earthy food recycler turns food scraps into dry, nutrient-rich grounds, making it easier to incorporate them into your feed.

Avoid: Avocados, raw beans, rhubarb, salty foods, or caffeine—these can be toxic to chickens.

How Earthy Makes Homemade Chicken Feed Even Better

Using an Earthy food recycler helps you cut waste while adding extra nutrition to your feed mix. Earthy dries and grinds food scraps overnight, preserving valuable nutrients while eliminating pathogens. The result? A natural, homemade supplement to keep your hens healthy and happy.

Poultry experts recommend that Earthy grounds should make up about 5% of your chickens’ diet, alongside a high-protein base feed for optimal nutrition.

Two Easy Homemade Chicken Feed Recipes

With Earthy:

  • Corn: 55.4% (1107 lbs per tonne)

  • Soybean meal: 25.2% (503 lbs per tonne)

  • Earthy Food Grounds: 5% (100 lbs per tonne)

  • Vegetable oil: 2.7% (53 lbs per tonne)

  • Calcium carbonate: 9.4% (187 lbs per tonne)

  • Chicken Premix: 2.5% (50 lbs per tonne)

Without Earthy:

  • Corn: 58.8% (1176 lbs per tonne)

  • Soybean meal: 26.6% (532 lbs per tonne)

  • Vegetable oil: 2.6% (51 lbs per tonne)

  • Calcium carbonate: 9.6% (191 lbs per tonne)

  • Chicken Premix: 2.5% (50 lbs per tonne)

Many of these ingredients can be sourced from UK farm suppliers or feed mills. Be sure to check manufacturing dates and use within six months to maintain nutrient potency. Some local mills even offer custom mixing services.

Final Thoughts

Whether you go full DIY with your chicken feed or simply supplement store-bought feed with Earthy food grounds, taking control of your hens’ diet is a rewarding experience. Not only will you reduce food waste, but you’ll also be ensuring your flock gets the best possible nutrition.

By making small, thoughtful changes, you can create a more sustainable and efficient way to care for your backyard chickens—while enjoying delicious, nutritious eggs in return!

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