Know This BEFORE Feeding Scraps to Chickens

Henlo! I am The President of Chickenlandia and I want to welcome you to Chickenlandia, a magical place where my pet chickens (and a few ducks) live an awesome life. Thank you for watching this video about if and how you should feed your chickens leftover kitchen scraps. I hope you love it! #chickenlandia #welcometochickenlandia #backyardchickens
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Disclaimer Notice: The content of the Welcome to Chickenlandia KZbin Channel, website, blog, vlog, and all social media is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dependence on any information appearing on the Welcome to Chickenlandia KZbin Channel, website, blog, vlog, and social media sites is entirely at your own risk. Please do your own research and make your own informed decisions regarding the health of your chickens.

[@juliewiley4334]

I am going through the worst time in my life I was homeless after my mom passed, I quit my job to care for her and in that 3years I became disabled, I found a place thanks to family friends and through all of this I managed to keep my 11chickens I can only feed them stuff from my kitchen and garden so everyday I give them fresh tomatoes lettuce rolled oats, shredded wheat and corn meal. I hope I'm doing the right thing by keeping them they are the reason I get out of bed most days. And they look so healthy. So surely they are.

[@4forya]

I am so sorry for your loss. I have had a similar experience and I too am doing better. Best wishes to you for a fulfilling life.

[@juliewiley4334]

@@4forya Thank you very much, I only have hope and faith ..

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

You are 100% doing the right thing. ❤️ I’m so sorry for your hard times and the loss of your mother. I’m glad you have good friends that have helped you through this difficult time. ❤️

[@juliewiley4334]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia Thank you so much it means the world to me that you agree, ty for your kind words. And for all your valuable information.

[@mightbebatman3659]

You are an inspiration! I believe you gave your chickens a purpose and they return the favor. I'm certain they live a far more fulfilling life under your loving care than being stuck in a giant factory where no one loves them! Best wishes❣️

[@robinragan1702]

Chickens, if you observe and interact with them are healing. Be in the moment. Backyard chickens are cheaper than therapy. 🙂

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

This ^^^ ❤️

[@sylviamitchell6953]

YuckyI

[@nope5749]

Yes!

[@teganfajardo5957]

When I feel stressed, I grab a cuppa and chair and sit in the backyard and watch my 3 australorps. It is just so relaxing watching them dust bathe or scratch about. They make me laugh when they playfully chase each other. They are so calming.

[@care4557]

I only have one chicken right now but she reminds me of my dogs. She is super friendly and loves to be petted.

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

Thank you for this. I just saw my old post from Backyard Chickens and I saw that there were these purists who only wanted you to have chicken feed only and I even explained that there was a time that chicken feed didn’t exist. You have to be aware of their nutritional needs but you don’t have to be so rigid.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Exactly!

[@ironrose888]

I agree! I give my chickens and ducks table scraps, mostly fresh veggies and they eat like crazy, like they are starving, but they have plenty of chicken feed.

[@millennialmadness5138]

Reminds me of when they told mothers they shouldn’t breastfeed and should only feed milk formula. Obviously that wasn’t correct, but people believed it anyways

[@Susie_Floozie]

I love hearing you lay out your philosophy. Chicken keeping doesn't just change how you relate to a new kind of creature--it changes your relationship with the world around you.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

It certainly does. ❤️

[@evermore4487]

Methinks you're right!

[@melanieallen8980]

I grow kale, spinach, herbs, pumkin & cook rice for my chickens..Always give table scraps to them!😍I also create worm patches for my chickens....Yes its all about the quality of life our chickens have.

[@brokendolly6967]

I put my raw fruit & veggie scraps in the food processor and chop them into bite size pieces for my chickens and feed them in a pan so there is even less waste they get all of it that way.

[@donnamarie918]

Beautiful flock 😍 I whole heartedly agree! It just doesn't feel right to only give them big industry feed. They LOVE fresh fruits and vegetables. And I just love watching them peck away at a pumpkin 😍 I am old fashioned and love raising my flock the old fashioned way. I don't always have kitchen scraps and I do give them feed but to help offset the cost I have started hatching their eggs and selling chicks 🐣 Also, I recently read that raising chickens helps decrease the risk of dementia by 50%! Thank you for the wonderful videos and all the great information! Love your videos! ❤️🥰

[@katierobbins7962]

I keep a clean bucket on my kitchen counter and all our scraps go right into it and down to the chickens, when I lost my first flock to a raccoon when I was first starting out, I took a break, and oh my gosh! It felt like so much wasted food without having chickens to throw it all to!

[@edbeals1793]

I work in a restaurant kitchen that allows me to take home any of the kitchen scraps and expired food I want. My chickens have access to chicken kibble 24/7 but prefer the veggie scraps, grains, bread, and fruit I bring home from work on a nearly daily basis. It keeps all that waste from going to landfill and provides me with eggs and my garden with all the fertilizer it could ever need. It saves a ton on chicken feed!

[@ladyvirgo013]

My chickens are therapy for me, Im Outside 365 for my well being 🌎 Thanks for all you share

[@nogames8982]

I also have a compost area in my chicken run. In fact, it's basically half❤ of the chicken run. That's where all the scraps go. And in the spring I have great compost for my garden. The cycle of life :-)

[@lauryhales8050]

I love this. My chickens get ALL KINDS of scraps; if they like it, I generally give it to them. They don't eat much feed (which we mix ourselves anyway) because of the scraps. As long as there is enough protein, feed away! And, they learn, trust me. Mine see me with a bowl and they come running!

[@maryzell4750]

Dear President of Chickenlandia, You are an amazing human! I only have ducks and have no desire for chickens but still enjoy getting the knowledge you put out there. It helps me make sure I am doing right by my fistful (had to look that up - chose that one cause I only have 5). Love the message that your sending, I feel exactly the same about tying into nature. Great stuff! It's good to get edgy too, I truly find peace when otbers show their truth even when they may seem mad or upset. It means they are truly passionate about it and need to be heard because there is truth in their statement(s). Shine on sweet lady!

[@krissifaith6709]

Preisdent of Chickenlandia meets President of Duck Land?

[@vanessahancock1436]

You are a great ambassador for healthy chicken and other birds

[@sandrasamosa6444]

You are so uplifting… just love your personality and all the good information you share with us. ❤ thank you!!!

[@christian5707]

I’ve grown some comfrey and other herbs for the chickens, the girls love the comfrey leaves but what’s great is I’ll throw the leaves down on the dirt to break down the hard soil and the ladies help by scratching at the comfrey. Putting them to work! feed just keeps going up and up so free ranging them helps some but we still offer them plenty of other treats and scraps!

[@ironrose888]

My chickens love cleaning up the used up garden beds. They clean up the weeds and bugs and they have a great time.

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

I get extra collard greens mostly connected to the main stem from farm share food give away along with squash n cabbage ect so when my garden gets low or not ready I don’t have to wait for kitchen scraps and you can root n plant the collard green n other greens and grow more The largest parts of the stems that I dont add to fermented seeds and spit peas I chop up in the electric chopper goes the thickest parts of the stems that don’t fit in my skirt hangers with wilted carrots that didn’t get feed I time to the meal worms n Beatles

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Awesome!

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia I’m told I spoil them I stand firm I’m insuring they have what they can’t find within their yards now grassless area but they do enjoy mushrooms that grow in the logs I roll for bug searching between the mealworm draw

[@quirkychelle]

Scraps are great! Never give them salt. Or rabbit food because there is salt in it. My husband (even though I told him not to) gave them rabbit food and the hens bacame egg bound. The vet said the sodium in the rabbit food was the culprit. We give ours organ meats in the winters to keep their proteins up through the winter. Every other week, kind of thing. Layer's crumble, scratch grains. They enjoy all the variety. . They don't have the bugs in the winters here in Ontario, Canada.

[@teevee3673]

I'm in Nj. I have 4 girls who are just about 7 months. They JUST started laying to my amazement. I assumed they wouldn't lay until spring . Im on day 6 amd have 9 eggs ! I usually feed jjst pellets. I added ALL my kitchen scrap and im picking all my dandelion plants. I let them out for 2 hours a day while I'm standing on top of them due to hawk and eagles . Im a proud chicken momma

[@anneharrington7951]

I feed mine cooked pasta, cooked rice, cooked oatmeal, plain yogurt, cooked beans, and all kinds of vegetables from my garden.

[@kristawebb]

I absolutely love you!!! Everything you are saying in this video resonates with my soul. We as humans have forgotten that we are part of nature. It is so sad how society has led many to believe that we are above nature. I'm a new proud parent of 8 hens, and I'm so looking forward to picking the sea of chickweed, henbit, and purple dead nettle from my property and feeding it to my ladies in early spring!

[@WaningGibbous]

I always have a pot on my stove and all my older, soft veggies go in..nothing mouldy..add water add some grains and they love it..i also grow kale, squash, and greens for them.

[@granitemoss1451]

I am really looking forward to your book and will encourage my library to purchase it to perhaps introduce you to some folks who are unfamiliar with Chickenlandia.

[@goodieswithgrace1004]

You always have the best advice! Thank you for sharing this helpful information ❤

[@lisacamp1964]

Looking so forward to the release of your book!!! I give layer feed but I also fernment my feed. I keep a container of kitchen scraps in my fridge so every morning they get their fermented feed with fresh kitchen scraps together! This method has worked great for me.

[@amyjohnson9240]

Thank you for making this video, I feel the same way, when we look into this feed situation, I have felt in my gut, fresh has to be better. I also understand there is a nutritional balance we need to obtain, and all fresh is not viable for most people as far as how much you would have to have. I dont have chickens yet but am planning on getting some this spring. I have gotten my coop and run, and buying a little at a time, including feed to stock up as I want soy and corn free so it is a lot more expensive. I am bombarded with the diseases, feeding, cleaning, and just feel like it will work itself out. I am into nutrition so I do understand the benefits of a fresh diet supplimented by feed and treats. Love the video.

[@sylvieroy3751]

I agree whit you 🐔 in Québec the winter is cold...in winter time I Cook some meat patée whit herbs and good stuff, I give them some in the morning and some before night and also grow some Greens inside for us and for my chickens 🌱💕💞

[@bethtrott4772]

My three Girls and I had a popcorn party yesterday. I also give them a dish of yogurt soaked oatmeal for dinner every night!

[@coolwatyr]

I haven’t read all the comments yet. I imagine this has been mentioned - if all that chickens should eat is processed commercial food…. What on earth did my great grandmothers feed their chickens? Chickens have been with us so long. They foraged and ate after us. We mix our own chicken feed. I’m allergic to shellfish. So, no oyster shells. We give them limestone instead. Thank you for the advice, education and laughter. ❤

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Exactly! My great grandmother's chickens lived in a tree in Guatemala. There was no commercial feed back then!

[@coolwatyr]

@@WelcometoChickenlandia it makes you wonder how they ever survived. 😂🫢

[@annak804]

You could feed them crushed egg shells

[@tammyfritschie1697]

I wash my egg shells and then bake them in the oven to dry them to brittle crisp. Then I crush them well. My hen eats these as she wants them. I put them in a separate bowl in the corner. She finds them as she wants them. I am allergic to iodine and can't have oysters. I figure that's what GOD made egg shells for. Since I wash them and bake their shells, they won't get used to eating their own eggs. They seem happy.

[@wirelesscaller7518]

Pre hurricane, we cooked store bought organic chicken legs& corn on cob from store, tied legs& corn cobs together hanging vertical on long horizontal rope so it would spin,hang in hen house for them to peck,keep destressed during 155mph winds. Made them trays of corn bread trays with flax,chia,corn,chili peppers, .,kept them distracted during worst of storm .

[@granitemoss1451]

You are a great chicken owner!

[@kumiriley5602]

You fed a chicken to a chicken? 🤔

[@joeyl.rowland4153]

My family always thrown chicken scraps from the table. You can cut down weeds and feed your birds. You can put out minnow traps in creeks rivers or lakes and feed the minnows to your chickens. Feed them that half eaten hamburger they will love it. Those things you normally throw away when you clean out your freezer, give them to your chickens Better question would be to discuss is what chickens should not eat. Sprouts, and fermented feeds are awesome and all backyard chicken farms should utilize them.

[@kumiriley5602]

Another person talking about feeding their chicken beef. That's not a worm or beetle. She said scraps and even gave examples. Some of what some people are saying is concerning. No idea how this got a heart. All scraps shouldn't be done. There are still limits.

[@joeyl.rowland4153]

@kumiriley5602 my chickens love cooked hamburger. Sorry. I spoil my girls.

[@granitemoss1451]

I have lentils sprouting on the counter right now for my feathered friends to give them something fresh as winter sets in. They also get any appropriate scraps we have to share (makes for some jealous dogs here sometimes!).

[@mikemacinnes6120]

I love my chickens. I spend a lot on them over 10k on coop and run have 37 . I spend 50 week and absolutely give kitchen scraps and I buy them treats. Black soldier flys and 6 grain scratch. It’s December in NJ where I am and they are still laying. I don’t put light on them. They are happy chicks. I give them everything we eat! I also buy case of cabbage or lettuce I put in the net and they play while they eat

[@plantgrow1327]

You are my new hero. Thank you for what you said in this video. I watch people get beat up on backyard chickens, from the feed police. It is just awful. People want to interact with their flock and food is a great way to do it. They are not going to come eat feed out of your hand.

[@evermore4487]

This is THE best chicken channel! Thank you for helping so many. Each week I chop up a variety of produce and each day I feed one heaping TBS per chicken, mixed with some moistened pellet feed. I also add a little of the ingredients I strain off my fire cider each year and freeze, as it has been infused with homemade apple cider. Honestly? It looks and smells delicious. They eat better than I do! Lol.

[@annebeginn2034]

I love checking in to see what else I could learn from your amazing channel, I work in a primary school and am allowed to bring home any veg and the likes. I also buy greens and fruit if it’s not the season for my fruit trees. I buy mealworms and also give back some eggs when I just have too many lol, not to mention the egg shells. I love my girls and my dog gets jealous lmao 😂. I came in house one day and Izzy one of my girls was sat on the sofa next to my dang Khaleesi lmao, omg I just fell about laughing 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Thank you for all you share with us, from England xxx

[@lv4tmnt90]

I love how my chickens will eat anything I give them, and yet my duck are picking with scraps. It is so funny when the ducks shake their heads after tasting something they don't like. Sometimes, they look at me and tilt their head like I'm an idiot for offering food they hate. Funny 😁

[@katee2231]

Thank you for sharing your information it’s extremely helpful. You are so fun and educational at the same time.😃

[@PureBloodWNC]

Sure am thankful for you and this channel! You gave us the confidence to start. We are so thankful for our backyard flock now. 😊

[@trishgels]

We're growing a ton more corn & sunflowers for our chickens, & I'll be saving some egg shells for them & our tomato plants. This is to supplement their feed. We also have a bag of various seeds w/corn as a treat, & we often buy meal worms. Of course, they eat bugs outside, too. They're all very wonderful chickens, & we love them - Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe, Miss Priss, Putty-Tat, Crooked Beak (severe cross bite), Forrest, Eli, Clairee, Weeza, Stripey, Snowy, & Poncho:) They all know their names, & they love rolling their necks around to reggae music lol:)

[@astralafond8299]

Free range and food scraps are our girls primary diet. We only supplement with commercial feed (50/50 layer pellets mixed with scratch grains). I do give them warm water mixed with 1 cap of Braggs ACV and raw local honey. They also get all of their egg shells back and a few raw eggs every week. No supplemental light and we’re still getting 16-17 eggs per day from our 15 girls ❤. I’m starting to freeze some eggs just Incase they slow down. We love our girls...they are the hardest workers on the farm.

[@nogames8982]

Usually it is the big feed companies like Purina, etc. that are pushing for people to only feed Chicken Feed. Same thing with dog and cat food. Follow the money. I know a family that doesn't feed anything except garden, yard and kitchen scraps to their chickens. They do give them oyster shell for the extra calcium. They do great.

[@reneenewfrock5743]

We get the most beautiful yolks when feeding our chickens kitchen scraps from our garden. They look forward to it. They're smart too. They don't eat what isn't good for them. Oh, and they also love meat scraps, cracklins in the winter, and all the bugs they can eat from the yard! They also get layer feed and we grow a chicken garden just for them.

[@lenajansson8668]

I cane across your videos through the interview on farmhouse on boon. Really love your groundedness, simplicity and sense of humor. We are planning on getting chickens this spring here in Sweden. So looking forward to it now ❤

[@patrickbelongea6896]

My chickens diet is mostly forage 9 month out of the year. They have 5 acres to roam, and free access to my compost pile, on which they forage. They barely touch their feed in the summer. From early October through mid december they have a few deer skeletons to pick clean, which boosts egg production for a short time.

[@amyheath8261]

In England it’s illegal to feed your chickens food scraps!! And mealworms! Will I do it anyway? Yes.

[@JenniferYoung-f1x]

Wow!!! Why???

[@AR-cw4he]

Yes, table scraps are great. My grandparents never bought feed for there chickens. Always very healthy Free Range 👍🏼

[@lfinn6125]

I have super healthy, alive chickens now because of you and your guidance. So looking forward to your book….thank you!

[@amberbrown9997]

Love your videos. Your personality, seeing your feisty happy chickens, and picking up bits of new info. It's just wonderful.

[@erk678]

My chickens won’t eat pumpkin,squash,butternut squash,pumpkin seeds . They love pizza,table scraps, biscuits,cornbread and green vegetables. They get all the layer feed they can eat. They seem to be happy chickens.

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

If u slightly boil in a small bit of water the cuts or shred n slightly steam a small amount of water that sits in side a double boiler they will eat it

[@granitemoss1451]

That's funny as mine are WILD about those things yours don't care for. Apple is another fave of mine.

[@theemeraldfox7779]

Be careful with certain breads it's sticks in their gullots,I lost a few to this

[@robingamel9788]

Pumpkin is a non-starter with my girls also.

[@MJYouAreNotAlone1]

❤️🙏

[@sosha20]

i have never seen chicken pellets like that! i was taught that chicken feed needs to consist of: *black sunflower seeds (the oil helps their feathers i think) *calcium for egg production (my family actually just saves all the eggshells, turns them into a rough powder and adds it back into the feed) *wild bird seed (for variety of healthy seeds) *and animal corn *plus a seperate bowl for their grit i've also heard that like...fennel seed is okay? but idk too much about that

[@midsouthhomestead7527]

I live in Southwest TN. It has been raining for days. I feel bad for rhem. However, we have spring grasses popping up everywhere. Thanks for your tips.

[@Baker-m9y]

I’m looking forward to your book. Thx

[@rebekahewbank9776]

I'm impressed that you still have grass in your protected chicken yard/run .. Have you done a video on your run square footage to chicken ratio yet? I know from experience that the standard calculation of 10' run space/4' in the coop per bird is grossly inappropriate... Would you share yours? Thanks! Love your channel and great attitude!

[@chickenindoubleC]

I don't remember what video it was buried in, but recently Madame President said she just got lucky and has no idea how the grass is still there!

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

I think I have magic chickens because I can't believe I still have grass! I do have a ton of room, though. I will say the minimum would be 10' and 4' but with a lot of enrichment to keep them occupied. Most chickens in the world live in a tiny, tiny space not fit for life at all, so I try and remember that. Many people don't have a lot of space but if they have the minimum I want them to still have chickens. ❤️ It means less birds in factory farms.

[@SimplyBackwoods]

Another super helpful video and I am learning a lot. I only have 5 chickens I raised from chicks and they love to eat. I do give them chicken feed from a farm store that makes sure they don't alter the ingredients but also am fermenting a lot of their food now. I am on a limited income but it's more cost effective to give them the chicken feed, ferment a lot of their food, give them fresh veggies and fruits as well as other table scraps. It's winter here but unseasonable temperatures make it easier for them but too cold to be out and about most of the time. They lay between 3-5 eggs a day and since don't have anyone to give them to other than family, I do freeze some eggs, dehydrate and eat a lot of them lol I love having my chickens and so thankful for your videos. I'm reassured and encouraged to do all I can. Just made the treat for them you shared in a previous video. It's baking now and hoping they love it as much as your chickens do. Thanks so much

[@KittyMeow1993]

Thank you so much for this. We are working on becoming more food independent with homesteading and having chickens but were so worried about not being able to afford chicken feed costs. We are trying to be cost efficient by buying a preowned coop and obtaining any hand me downs for chicken needs that we can from other people. Slowly but surely we will have our chickens!! I’m grateful I can feed chickens food scraps-less food waste is always a plus AND it’s good for chickens!! Yay!!!

[@penthesilliaas]

I feed my birds sprouted grains and seeds as their main source. I found buying bags of whole wheat, oats, corn and flaxseed, as well as "birdseed" to be cheaper in the long run. Sprouting them doubles the volume and more than triples the available nutrition. I also refuse to feed my dogs kibble 😉. I grow sunflowers, kale, comfrey, the list is to long. Garden scraps and weeds. A small mealworm farm. There are so many ways to keep healthy happy chickens (and ducks and quail).

[@OJAV08]

I truly thank you for all your advice. You bring peace to me when I hear your videos for whatever reason.

[@melindahall7422]

We have wild muscadine grapes and several persimmon trees around our chicken pens. Plus we feed kitchen scraps. My husband also saves grass clippings for them. We also give then corn tortillas and layer feed.

[@addieanderson2043]

Yesterday I got a copy of your first book. Very nice content and pictures. I am enjoying it immensely . Anxiously awaiting your next one.

[@gwenroney3972]

We feed our chickens Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve. They LOVE it, we don't give them much veggies. I feel the henhouse reserve is probably the best on the market, our chicken are in their first year & still laying like crazy even this far in Dec. We have 8 hens & get pretty much 6 to 7 eggs a day!

[@67mysweet]

Wonderful!!! I feed my hens scraps too! There are some things to not feed them but most vegetables and fruits, and a few other things are ok!

[@acdcacres]

Great info! Love the "curses, foiled again"! 😅 Btw, I really love how you smoothly lead in to the next video.

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

Gotta keep them on my channel! 😜🐔

[@chikyuskincare4675]

Completely agree with you and I feel it's no different with us humans. We (like chickens, dogs, etc.,) were not designed to consume processed foods.

[@yeotube14]

Well said, and I agree with you for healthier chickens.

[@homegrownlearningandliving]

I’m in the PNW and accept you as my chicken leader 😂

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

😂❤️👸🏽

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

I would love some snow... Have fun.

[@mightbebatman3659]

Madam president, my chickens agree 💯

[@MadeBySam2011]

I love the way you think.. scandals of the productivity of feed. What will ppl do when they can no longer get to some feed? Scraps, egg shells, and worm beds will make you survive the hard times.

[@j.b.4340]

Great video. My flock goes crazy for anything that isn’t chicken food.

[@pamelaremme38]

Thank you so much for this video. I have frozen my end of garden things and grew Kale just for the chickens. Stalks I cut up into little pieces and cook them to soften them. In cold winter days I heat them up and bring them to them warmed.

[@cuddlebuddy88mc]

I love watching your channel. Love chickens and eggs.

[@jayrobertson1689]

You rock and so does your flock!😅

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

🎸🥁🐔❤️

[@davidgingerich2230]

Your chicken Land videos are so interesting and Awesome.Thankyou

[@Klv0420]

I have watched many of your videos. I've learned about so many things. Thank you

[@joeheilm]

Thanks for your content. I am new to chicken keeping so i reaally appreciate having your expert advice. Cheers

[@cavymomma]

Love this message! My birds are finicky about trying new things, but - by golly - they are getting scraps and getting used to it. Today they actually were excited for kale. (City won't let me free-range them so this is a good fresh green source). I truly believe that chickens are smart enough to self-regulate given options (eg not stuck in a tiny box). I mean - hens know when to seek out oyster shell for calcium right? Not so dumb LOL 🙂

[@brettyallop6018]

When you see your chicken prefer the fresh kitchen scraps to the best chicken feed you know that it is right to be giving them access to to the chicken scraps. Our six hens will wait to take from the freshly filled feed bowls until they have had time to see what kitchen scraps and other fresh veg they are given each morning! Then most of the afternoon they again abandon the layer mix to free range in the yard for what ever they can find. I 100% agree with the keep it simple premise of you Chicken food pyramid!

[@-cMc-]

Chicken keeping is accessible to everybody. You teach the skills necessary and easy to use natural resources. And your channel is so great. Unfortunately I don't own any land...but one day I will

[@karen1866]

I feed our free-range hens very little fermented commercial feed (when weather is above freezing), seeds, grains and lots of ugly garden produce. They love whole pumpkins-pumpkin seeds are a great natural de-wormer. Our hens get ALL our kitchen scraps that don’t contain paper. Those get composted. What do you think chickens ate before Nutrena or Purina existed?

[@jamyebrezall719]

I love your show. When I'm feeling down and unsure, I watch your schooling and I feel excited that I'm doing it right.

[@samanthahoos9827]

I find my chickens don’t like pellet feed in warmer weather because there’s more to free range eat so I only buy feed in cold winter months saving $. I also love giving my flock scraps from the garden that have pest damage (plenty since I grow organically), pests I find in the soil/on plants, and they love pest eating behind the tractor when I mow (I tend to mow twice a week in spring/summer). I have a few chickens that hang out under the wild bird feeder for the sunflower seeds that get dropped (I only feed sunflower seeds in my wild bird feeders to cut back on unwanted weeds).

[@lindabirmingham603]

I have been studying chicken nutrition very heavily the last few years. I am making my own feed and worked with a poultry expert from Fertrell to get the balance right. I use organic chicken scratch that I ferment and then add Fertrell nutribalancer, animal fats, animal protein, and mealworms. He helped me calculate how much of each to use. I also add some nutribalancer to the fermentation water, as it contains phytase, an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid in the grains. Phytic acid interferes with the absorption of minerals and interferes with digestive enzymes that enable them to use protein. Phytic acid does the same thing in humans. Oats are very high in phytic acid and have little phytase enzyme. I know some people will find this objectionable, but grains are really not as healthy as we are told they are. They are an incomplete protein source as far as amino acids. The Fertrell poultry guy wanted me to add a lot of field peas, but my chickens refuse to eat them, even though they are split into smaller pieces. The fish meal he recommended stunk, so I suspect it quickly becomes rancid. Not feeding that... Rancid oils are full of toxic aldehydes and are inflammatory. The commercial feeds use either seed (vegetable) oils, which are toxic (to us and them) or flaxseed seed oil, which becomes rancid as soon as it is ground or pressed. I give them protein, usually mealworms, in the afternoon to ensure they have some protein without the antinutrients (phyate, oxalates, lectins, and other antinutritents) that interfere with mineral and protein absorption. I never feed high oxalate greens such as spinach or chard, as oxalates prevent the absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper in chickens as well as humans. I sprout organic wheat grass and hulled sunflower seeds and have a small mealworm farm. I rinse and bake their eggshells for a few minutes, crush them, and feed them back to them. Overall, I think this feeding regimen is economical and my girls are super healthy. Layer feed is a highly processed food. I agree that we have bred chickens to an unnatural state, but what other animals in nature need such a variety of foods to thrive? BTW: humans also don't. I do offer a small amount of organic layer crumble just in case they need something, but they eat very little of it.

[@cherriethomas9538]

Hi everyone I'm wondering if anyone is having an egg shortage? My girls get the fresh stuff an seed an layer but no eggs in months..also tractor supply has been shorting the right nutrients so we're being attacked on all sides so this is an amazing teaching to help us help our girls.

[@federicomachon8841]

Everything changes depending of were you live. Personally I don't use comercial feed just grains (trying to ferment) some protein and nutritious leafs from my garden. Not a commercial egg producer so I'm always happy with the eggs I get (more than I can eat) You have a good and funny way to teach. Thank you for your videos. Gretting from Peten Guatemala

[@adaywithaleks6556]

Yes! If you're doing what you can to feed them the best diet and get their nutritional needs met to the best of your ability like you do your own than you're already doing allot better than those disgusting factory farms that are slaughtering chickens inhumanly. You're already helping stand against that industry by giving them a happy life and trust me your chicken is happy grazing your yard! Imagine how the caged birds feel?

[@becca318]

This is one of the things that has held me back, but what you said about feeding chickens naturally just makes sense. I know in old times, people did not buy feed, and I see in some parts of towns where these chickens are not fed and run around freely and find ways to feed themselves. So I'm hoping to buy some soon.

[@murrcat1021]

My babies LOVE watermelon and strawberries!

[@l.w.5345]

I have fed scraps since the 2nd day I've had chickens. It makes me feel better about the food that doesn't get eaten by us. It's not wasted. I do follow some of the Do not feed to chickens list. They are so much happier too. I have an 8 year old still in my coop, Goldie is her name. Plus another that is 7 who was hatched n raised.

[@evagraham9839]

Hi, I really need help and I don't know what to do, I have a deformed chick. It has no eyes and a sideward beak, it was fine with its mom for the first couple of days but as the mum and chicks ventured out the baby would get left alone on the other side of the coop, it can't eat or drink by itself but I use a paintbrush to feed it three times a day and it works great. I am also going on holiday over Christmas so I will be unable to give it special care and feed it myself.

[@MimsysGarden]

Girl, my chickens have their own garden year round 😂😂😂

[@WelcometoChickenlandia]

NICE lol

[@sharinnature]

Great video...I soak my scratch grains overnight and it rehydrates and fills the bucket from 1/2 full to 3/4 full and I hear that it's easier for them to digest.It sure makes my feed last longer.I also give them the kitchen and garden scraps.

[@sylviaboroviak7847]

You are so funny. I love it!

[@DeltaDawn2025]

So glad I found you. I like your channel so much. Thank you for doing it.

[@WildManDanWMD]

One hen is very smart. She knows geometry. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. And she shortens that by standing on the coop ramp. Over the fence she goes. Only her. This happens right after they finish the feed. If I put in more feed she wants back jn of course. She comes to the front door, makes at least one deposit, and clucks loudly. I can't free range due to numerous predators. So, I tried raising the fence near the ramp. Not enough. Next I will remove the ramp. Wish me luck. For sure none of her eggs will hatch!!

[@Andluth]

What about the suet cakes that have grubs in them that are sold for birds? Thanks for the info and the great channel. I will be moving back to the PNW in a few years and hope to keep my first chickens.

[@sallyclow9495]

hey hello, the chicken feed in Thailand , where I live is sub standard, much like everything else. I cannot get anything for them that is good, unless it is for people and very expensive. I love the feeling you give about the girls. There are no vets here where I live for chickens. That tells you what they think of their welfare. Lazada (Asian Chinese )on line shopping web site is limited. Amazon is not here so way expensive. I have been following you for a long time now. I so far have beautiful eggs and I give them food also they love and is healthy. They do calm me as you have said . I do worry if there are problems as there is no vet here to help. I read all I can about them. All our comments are recorded. I hope you realize this. Thank you for all the information you give, Sally

[@KevinJD2030]

I have a small flock of chickens myself and I fortunately have a lot of room at home for them with lots of vegetation in the summer. I let them free-range in a piece of forrest which is about a 1/3 of a hectometer which is a lot of room for them. I have divided this Forrest in four sections and a enclosed run for them to shelter. In al these pieces of the forrest is a drinking place for them and in the run there is also one. In the run is a feed-o-matic feeding trough this is the only place where they can get their laying feed usually I feed them some grain mix with shells so they have some extra calcium and proteins and it encourages them to go and search for feed in the forrest. Usually they find enough in the forrest and eat almost no laying feed. I have experienced that this really cuts down feeding costs. It takes the costs so much down that I almost can compete with feeding prices that the big farmers have which they buy in bulk which is way cheaper than per bag. The average feeding cost for farmers here is €0,10 per laid egg. My costs are also around these €0,10 some days it's a little more sometimes a little less I have the idea this really has to do with weather conditions and their nutritional needs. I also feed them regularly kitchen scraps Which they really like. And they also like those fat balls which you feed I the winter to the wild birds, butt they tend to get a bit to fat from them😅. I think at this moment my flock is as healthy as it is going to get. I have still got a little blood lice problem, luckily it's under control and the number of lice is declining still every week. I have changed the bedding in the coop from flax fibers to dry sand and it immediately made a big difference. I still want to set up a big nice dry dust bath for them so they can even do it when it rains or al the sand is wet. Hopefully the blood lice problem will be history by the begin of next summer 😁.

[@vickialm2596]

Love your logic !

[@schammond8993]

Madam President once again a good video with great information. I would like to add, don't you think that chickens get bored eating the same thing every single day. I know I would. Thanks Madam President.

[@naomi2646]

Thank you for your help. What are the pretty string of different colored cloths that is hanging up in your run?