Raising chickens can be rewarding, but feed costs add up quickly. Luckily, there are many natural, cost-effective ways to supplement or even replace store-bought feed. Here are 20 ways to keep your chickens well-fed without relying on commercial feed.
1. Free-Range Foraging
🐛 Bugs & Insects – Chickens naturally scratch for worms, beetles, grasshoppers, and more, providing protein and nutrients.
🌿 Wild Greens – Let them graze on dandelions, clover, and plantain, which are rich in vitamins.
2. Kitchen Scraps
🥦 Vegetable Peelings – Leftover carrot tops, cabbage leaves, and lettuce make excellent chicken treats.
🥔 Cooked Rice & Pasta – A great energy boost but should be given in moderation.
🥚 Eggshells – Crushed eggshells provide extra calcium for strong eggshell production.
3. Garden Surplus & Leftovers
🍅 Overripe Fruits & Veggies – Extra tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons are perfect for chickens.
🌽 Corn Husks & Cobs – Chickens love pecking at leftover corn bits.
🥔 Pumpkins & Squash – These provide fiber, vitamins, and natural deworming properties.
4. Growing Chicken Feed Crops
🌾 Sunflowers – Harvest the seeds for a protein-rich feed.
🥜 Peanuts – High in protein and a great treat in small amounts.
🌱 Alfalfa & Clover – Easy-to-grow protein sources that chickens love.
5. Compost Pile Access
🌿 Microbes & Worms – Let chickens scratch through your compost pile for extra protein.
🍌 Fruit & Veggie Scraps – Anything compostable (except toxic foods like onions, avocado, or chocolate) can be fed to chickens.
6. Sprouted Grains & Fodder
🌱 Wheatgrass & Barley Fodder – Sprouting grains increase nutrients and digestibility for chickens.
7. Harvesting Wild Seeds & Nuts
🍂 Acorns & Tree Nuts – Crushed acorns and nuts from oak or walnut trees can provide protein and fats.
8. Fishing & Meat Scraps
🐟 Small Fish & Scraps – Chickens love cooked fish or raw small fish from ponds.
🍗 Meat Scraps – Small amounts of cooked meat (without seasoning) add extra protein.
9. Insects & Worms from the Garden
🪱 Earthworms & Grubs – Dig up worms and larvae from the soil for natural chicken snacks.
10. Raising Mealworms or Black Soldier Fly Larvae
🦗 Protein Boost – These insects are an easy-to-raise, high-protein feed alternative.
11. Homemade Fermented Feed
🥣 Soak Grains – Fermenting grains like corn, wheat, or oats makes them more nutritious and digestible.
12. Grazing Cover Crops
🌱 Rye, Millet & Buckwheat – Planting these allows chickens to graze and get extra nutrients.
13. Bakery Leftovers
🥖 Stale Bread & Grains – Many bakeries give away stale bread, which can supplement a chicken’s diet in moderation.
14. Tree Leaves & Weeds
🍃 Mulberry, Comfrey & Moringa Leaves – High-protein options for natural feed.
15. Dairy Products
🧀 Milk, Yogurt & Cheese – Probiotic-rich, but should be given in moderation.
16. Leftover Cereal & Oats
🥣 Plain Cereal & Oatmeal – A good carbohydrate source, just avoid sugary options.
17. Farm Animal Feed Leftovers
🐄 Goat, Sheep, or Rabbit Feed – Small amounts of other livestock feed can be shared with chickens.
18. DIY Grain Mixes
🌾 Mix Corn, Oats & Barley – Buy bulk grains and mix your own chicken feed for a cheaper option.
19. Harvesting Weeds
🌿 Dandelions, Chickweed & Lamb’s Quarters – Free, nutritious, and abundant in many areas.
20. Restaurant & Market Scraps
🥦 Ask Local Businesses – Grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers’ markets often have food scraps they’re willing to give away.
Final Tips
✔ Always ensure scraps are fresh and safe for chickens to eat.
✔ Avoid toxic foods like avocado, raw beans, green potatoes, and chocolate.
✔ Provide plenty of clean water to keep your flock hydrated.
With these feeding strategies, you can save money, reduce waste, and keep your chickens healthy without relying on commercial feed. 🐔🌿