What plants to grow to feed chickens?

14 years ago

I have 7 chickens with big appetites. Besides their crumble (store bought food) I like to supplement with fresh food. Lots of food scarps go to the chickens now before heading to the compost pile.

Besides weeds, I regularly feed them bamboo and banana leaves. They will also be getting lots of sweet potato vines until gone.

I know that there are many GWers that raise chickens and I was wondering what you grow for your chickens to eat. What are your suggestions?

Christine

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gcmastiffs
14 years ago
I've got 3 dozen free-range chickens. They are insatiable!

They eat vegetarian pellets, scratch grains and most leftovers, including a "Chicken Bag" (instead of a Doggie Bag) when we go out to eat.

Mine will not eat processed sweets like donuts, or cake -they take one taste of it, wipe their beaks on the grass in disgust, and stalk away.

They love cheeses, breads, any leftover salad ingredients, including dressing. They like eggs in any form.

They will happily eat meat, catching frogs/lizards/snakes and insects themselves. Feeding them leftover pasta is very entertaining, and they adore it!

I have hundreds of fruiting plants, and every morning when they are let out, they immediately rush over to the Barbados Cherry and Jamacian Cherry trees to get the fallen berries. They are terrible thieves of Figs, Mulberries, Guavas and Grapes. They do not like or bother the Citrus.

My veggie garden has to be securely fenced to keep them out. They will eat nearly all veggies, with Tomatoes being their favorites. I doubt you could grow enough, fast enough to keep them happy, since they will eat as much as they can reach until it is all gone.

Watch for cabbages on sale at Publix. I've bought cabbages for $0.30, and it takes them hours to peck one apart. Fun for them, and cheap! Ask for fruit/veggie scraps at roadside stands, for free. Most places are happy to give away damaged or imperfect fruits/veggies.

Mine graze too, and can put away a lot of grass!

So, grow what you like to eat, and give the trimmings and imperfect stuff to the birds. Between the dogs and the chickens, we rarely have any food to throw away.

Oh, NEVER give them anything moldy! Moldy bread can cause paralysis or death.

Lisa
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Lisa for the detailed answer. You have given me some useful info. Between the dog and the chickens, no food goes to waste. I find that if I feed them really well, they lay eggs nearly every day.

Christine
Related Discussions
What to feed chickens
Q
Comments (4)
My chickens are not pets, and they have a large enclosed yard where they can eat the naturally occurning seeds and bugs. They also eat the small snakes and mice the come into their yard through the fence. But I provide them with supplemental feed so they can get what they need to be healthy. Young ones get medicated feed because they are hatched with certain pathogens in their systems already and need looking after from day one. I also add a few drops of clorox to their water to keep the waterer sanitary for the health of the chickens who use it. When they get older I also use a wormer twice a year to keep them from a miserable death. Maybe it isn't "natural" to give them all these things, but it's healthier for them and also for us. You could use the analogy that humans are naturally supposed to be vegetarieans and to live naturally we shouldn't put chemicals in our bodies. That would include the innoculations against dreaded diseases that wiped out thousands of people in past history. I like it better this way. My three children grew up healthy and my 84 year old mother has had regular health care all her life and she's doing fine. Health care isn't "natural" but it's better than the alternative, both for humans and for our animals. Cheryl
...See More
Raising chicken feed?
Q
Comments (2)
I have been thinking the same thing about raising feed for the chickens. I am going to plant some feed corn for sure. A few rows should be enough for a small flock especially if you have other things to add with it.
...See More
more folks should grow Chicken Gizzard plant aka Irisine
Q
Comments (7)
You can't send Iresine through the mail in winter - it'll freeze and die, plus it needs so much water that if packaged to 'hold' the water, in the dark, in plastic, will end up rotting by the time it arrives. The stems are very thin and it's a fairly fragile thing. You could probably find seeds on an on-line site though - google 'houseplant seeds'.
...See More
Pull weeds - feed chickens
Q
Comments (8)
Anneliese, I love your back-yard! Lots of traffic. Traffic here happens mostly at night and I don't purposely feed any wild-life because some of it is a bit dangerous, such as bears. there is a lot of natural feed and they have the pond. We have all sorts of grass, but no green lawn - a water-guzzler we can't support. In my county even the California and US highways have to be mowed or weed-whacked by people, no weed-killers are allowed in any public road-sides and are discouraged on private property. So we have poppies and lupine and dandelions and whatever else wants to live on the shoulder, a very pleasant view.
...See More
an_ill-mannered_ache
14 years ago
tasty eggs, too...
johnjsr
14 years ago
As I recall, growing up on my grandma's place in NC, your chickens would really like it if you got a cow. ;>)

john

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants That Snobs Love to Hate — and You'll Love to Grow

By Bill Marken

Don't dismiss these common annuals, perennials and shrubs — there are reasons they've been popular for so long

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Feed Wildlife With Flowering Currant

By Kate Bryant

Blossoms and berries make this plant irresistible to birds, bees and other critters — and a treat for the eyes too

Full Story

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Feed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries

By Therese Ciesinski

Be kind to your fair feathered friends during lean food times by planting a shrub or tree loaded with nutritious snacks

Full Story

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Plant Ilex Cassine for a Privacy Screen That Feeds the Birds

By Falon Mihalic

Dahoon and its hybrids provide lovely evergreen foliage in southeastern U.S. gardens

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

Full Story

SUMMER GARDENING How to Grow Basil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crop: How to Grow Blueberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant blueberries in spring or fall for garden beauty through three seasons — and a sweet superfood in summer

Full Story

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES How to Grow Your Own Fresh, Sweet Corn

By Marianne Lipanovich

Here's how to plant and care for your own mini cornfield

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

Full Story

What plants to grow to feed chickens?

Comments (4)

gcmastiffs

happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
Original Author

Related Discussions

an_ill-mannered_ache

johnjsr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What plants to grow to feed chickens?

Comments (4)

gcmastiffs

happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLandOriginal Author

Related Discussions

an_ill-mannered_ache

johnjsr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
Original Author