Feeding Your Animals with Homemade Feed
Feeding Your Animals with Homemade Feed: A Cost-Effective and Healthy Alternative
One of the foundational elements of any successful homestead is animal care—and that starts with feeding. Whether you're raising chickens, goats, rabbits, or cows, the quality and type of feed you provide directly impacts their health, productivity, and longevity. With rising costs of commercial feeds and growing concerns about their ingredients, many homesteaders are turning toward a more traditional and sustainable approach: feeding your animals with homemade feed.
Why Choose Homemade Animal Feed?
Feeding your animals with homemade feed offers numerous benefits, both for your livestock and your homestead as a whole.
1. Cost Savings
While the initial investment in bulk ingredients may seem steep, homemade feed can drastically reduce your long-term feed expenses. By sourcing ingredients locally or growing some of them yourself, you cut out the middleman and save money.
2. Better Ingredient Control
You’ll know exactly what goes into your animal feed. No preservatives, fillers, or questionable additives—just real, whole foods. This is especially important for those striving for organic, non-GMO, or soy-free diets.
3. Custom Nutrition
Each type of animal has specific nutritional needs. Making your own feed allows you to tailor the mixture based on the species, age, season, and productivity of your animals.
4. Sustainability
Homemade feed aligns with the principles of sustainable living. You can use garden scraps, crop leftovers, or even sprouted grains to minimize waste and increase self-sufficiency.
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Key Considerations Before Making Homemade Animal Feed
Before diving into mixing your own animal feed, there are some essential factors to consider:
Understand Nutritional Needs
Different animals require different nutrients. Chickens, for instance, need a high-protein feed with calcium for egg production, while rabbits require high fiber and less protein. Research each species’ dietary requirements before formulating a mix.
Balance Is Crucial
A well-balanced homemade feed includes:
Protein: Needed for growth and productivity. Sources: fish meal, soybean meal, field peas, alfalfa.
Carbohydrates: For energy. Sources: corn, oats, barley, wheat.
Fats: Aid in nutrient absorption. Sources: flaxseed, sunflower seeds.
Vitamins & Minerals: Necessary for immunity and function. Sources: kelp meal, oyster shell, crushed eggshells, mineral mixes.
Storage and Freshness
Homemade feed can spoil if not stored correctly. Always keep feed in airtight, rodent-proof containers in a cool, dry place. Rotate your stock often and avoid moldy or insect-infested ingredients.
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Homemade Feed Recipes by Animal Type
1. Homemade Chicken Feed (Layer Hens)
Basic Recipe (Per 10 lbs of feed):
4 lbs cracked corn
3 lbs wheat
2 lbs oats or barley
½ lb fish meal or soybean meal
½ lb alfalfa meal
¼ lb kelp powder
Free-choice oyster shell or crushed eggshells for calcium
Optional Additions:
Garlic powder (natural antibiotic)
Brewer's yeast (for feather quality)
Diatomaceous earth (parasite control)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (keeps them warm and laying in the winter)
2. Homemade Rabbit Feed
Pellet-Free Mix:
50% alfalfa or timothy hay
20% rolled oats
10% barley
10% sunflower seeds (unsalted)
10% fresh greens (dandelions, plantain, kale)
Note: Hay should always be available free-choice. Avoid high-calcium greens like spinach or parsley in large quantities.
3. Homemade Goat Feed
Dairy Goat Mix (Per 10 lbs):
4 lbs whole oats
3 lbs barley
2 lbs black oil sunflower seeds
1 lb field peas
½ cup molasses (to improve palatability)
¼ cup kelp meal
Free-choice minerals and baking soda
4. Homemade Pig Feed
Starter Feed:
4 lbs ground corn
3 lbs soybean meal
2 lbs wheat bran
1 lb fish meal
½ cup molasses
1 tsp salt
Note: Pigs benefit from food scraps but avoid meat and dairy to prevent disease.
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Growing Your Own Feed Ingredients
A great way to save even more and ensure maximum sustainability is to grow some of your feed ingredients yourself. Here are some crops to consider:
Corn: High in carbs and easy to grow in most climates.
Sunflowers: Excellent for fats and protein (seeds).
Field peas: High-protein legume that improves soil fertility.
Pumpkins & squash: Great supplement, seeds are natural dewormers.
Alfalfa: Perennial that provides protein and fiber.
Kale & chard: Nutritious greens for many animals.
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Using Sprouted Grains and Fermentation
Sprouting
Sprouting grains like wheat or barley can increase digestibility and nutritional value. Simply soak grains in water for 8–12 hours, then rinse and drain twice daily until small sprouts emerge (2–3 days). Offer them as a treat or supplement.
Fermentation
Fermenting grains or feed mix boosts probiotics and nutrient absorption. Soak feed in a bucket with enough water to cover it, loosely cover the bucket, and let sit at room temperature for 2–3 days. Stir daily. It will develop a sour smell—this is natural. Fermented feed reduces feed intake while improving health.
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Tips for Transitioning to Homemade Feed
Switching from commercial to homemade feed should be done gradually. Sudden changes can disrupt digestion and stress your animals. Here’s how to transition smoothly:
1. Mix 25% homemade with 75% commercial feed for 3–5 days.
2. Move to a 50/50 mix for the next week.
3. Increase to 75% homemade, 25% commercial for a few more days.
4. Fully transition to homemade if no issues arise.
Watch for signs of digestive distress like diarrhea, bloating, or loss of appetite. Always provide clean, fresh water.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not enough protein: Leads to slow growth, poor egg production, or weight loss.
Ignoring mineral needs: Lack of calcium, salt, or selenium can result in health problems.
Overfeeding scraps: While helpful, kitchen scraps should never be the main diet.
Improper storage: Spoiled feed can sicken or kill livestock.
Using moldy grains: Always inspect bulk ingredients thoroughly.
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Final Thoughts: Is Homemade Feed Right for You?
Feeding your animals with homemade feed is not only possible—it’s empowering. It connects you more deeply with your animals, fosters sustainability, and can improve the health and productivity of your livestock.
While it does require research, careful planning, and a bit of trial and error, the rewards are well worth the effort. You’ll gain control over your homestead’s food cycle, reduce reliance on commercial products, and take another step toward true self-sufficiency.
Whether you're raising a few backyard chickens or managing a full homestead, homemade feed can be a game changer.