How to Make Homemade Chicken Feed for Beginners
There’s nothing quite like gathering fresh eggs from your own hens, but if you’ve been buying bags of commercial chicken feed, you know how quickly those costs can add up. Not only is store-bought feed expensive, but most brands are packed with fillers and mystery ingredients you can’t even pronounce. As homesteaders, part of the joy of raising chickens is knowing exactly what’s going into the food that eventually makes its way onto our table. That’s where homemade chicken feed comes in — simple, wholesome, and surprisingly affordable.
When I first started keeping chickens, I thought making my own feed sounded complicated, maybe even impossible. But once I dug into it, I realized it’s actually easier than you’d think. By combining a few basic grains, proteins, and minerals, you can whip up a balanced feed that keeps your flock healthy and happy — and gives you peace of mind. Plus, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes with mixing it yourself, knowing you’re one step closer to true self-sufficiency. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started.
Why Make Your Own Chicken Feed?
Save Money
Anyone who’s been feeding chickens for a while knows that bags of store-bought feed don’t last long — and the price tag keeps creeping up. By making your own, you get to stretch your dollar a lot further. Bulk grains like corn, oats, or wheat are often much cheaper when bought locally or in larger quantities, and you can supplement with kitchen scraps, garden extras, or forage your chickens find on their own. Over time, those little savings add up, especially if you’ve got a bigger flock. It feels good knowing that you can provide for your birds without draining your wallet.
Healthier Chickens
When you control what goes into your chicken feed, you control the quality of what your hens are eating — plain and simple. Instead of mystery fillers, dyes, or unnecessary additives, you’re giving them real grains, protein-rich seeds, and natural sources of calcium. Chickens fed a clean, balanced diet tend to be healthier overall, which means fewer vet visits and stronger egg production. You’ll notice their feathers stay shinier, their eggshells are sturdier, and they just seem happier scratching around the yard. Healthy chickens make for a healthy homestead, and that all starts with what you put in their feeder.
Self Sufficency
One of the most rewarding parts of homesteading is that sense of independence — the feeling that you don’t have to rely on a store for every little thing. Mixing up your own chicken feed is a simple but powerful step in that direction. Instead of worrying about supply shortages or running to the feed store every week, you can lean on your own resources. Growing some of your own grains or using scraps from your kitchen and garden means you’re closing the loop, keeping your flock fed from what you already have. It’s empowering, and it makes your homestead feel more complete, knowing you’ve got one more skill under your belt.
What do chickens need in their diet?
Chickens might not be picky eaters, but they do need a balanced diet to stay healthy and keep laying those beautiful eggs. At the heart of their diet are grains like corn, wheat, oats, and barley. These provide the energy they need to scratch, peck, and roam all day long. Just like us, though, chickens can’t live on carbs alone — they need a good source of protein to build strong muscles and feathers. That’s where ingredients like peas, beans, sunflower seeds, or even mealworms come in handy.
Calcium is another must, especially for laying hens. Without enough of it, you’ll notice eggshells getting thin or brittle. Crushed oyster shells, ground-up eggshells, or even certain leafy greens can help keep their calcium levels right where they need to be. And while it might sound strange, grit — tiny bits of stone or sand — is also important because it helps them digest their food properly.
On top of all that, don’t forget the fresh extras. Garden scraps, leafy greens, and the occasional treat from your kitchen round out their diet and keep things interesting for your flock. When you mix these components together, you end up with feed that’s not only balanced but also full of variety — and your chickens will thank you for it with healthier bodies and better egg production.
Ingredients for Homeade Chicken Feed
When it comes to putting together homemade chicken feed, think of it like building a simple recipe. Each ingredient has a job to do, and when you mix them together, you get a balanced meal your flock will thrive on. Here are the basics:
Grains (the base) – Corn, wheat, oats, and barley make up the bulk of the mix. They’re full of energy and keep your chickens fueled throughout the day.
Protein boosters – Peas, beans, sunflower seeds, fish meal, or mealworms add that extra punch of protein. This is especially important for growing chicks and laying hens.
Calcium sources – Crushed oyster shells or ground eggshells give hens what they need for strong, sturdy eggshells.
Grit – Chickens don’t have teeth, so grit (tiny stones or sand) helps them grind up their food properly in their gizzard.
Greens & extras – Kale, spinach, herbs, or even garden scraps round out the diet with vitamins and variety.
Optional supplements – Things like kelp powder or a splash of apple cider vinegar in their water can give your flock an extra health boost.
The beauty of homemade feed is that you can adjust it depending on what you have on hand and what your chickens need most. Start with a good grain base, mix in protein, and don’t forget calcium — the rest is flexible. Your flock will love the variety, and you’ll love knowing exactly what’s in their food.
Simple DIY Chicken Feed Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups corn (ground or cracked)
3 cups wheat
2 cups oats
2 cups peas or beans (cooked or soaked for easier digestion)
1 cup sunflower seeds
½ cup crushed oyster shells (for laying hens)
¼ cup grit (optional but recommended for digestion)
Instructions
Mix the grains: In a large, clean container or bucket, combine the corn, wheat, and oats. Stir until evenly blended.
Add protein and extras: Mix in the peas or beans and sunflower seeds. If using grit, fold that in as well.
Add calcium: Sprinkle in the crushed oyster shells and mix thoroughly.
Store properly: Keep the feed in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and mold. This mix should last several weeks if stored well. These bags are great for making feed in bulk to store.
Serve: Adult laying hens will need about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of this feed per bird per day while chicks (6-20 weeks) will take about 1/4 cup per chick per day. If your birds are free range or pasture-raised they may eat less since they’re foraging so adjust accordingly. These scoops are perfect for measuring out your feed!
Optional Add-Ins & Tweaks
Greens: Chopped kale, spinach, or garden scraps for extra vitamins.
Herbs: A pinch of oregano or parsley can support overall health.
Protein boosters: Mealworms, fish meal, or cooked egg shells for extra nutrition.
Adjust ratios: For chicks, increase protein slightly; for adult hens, maintain calcium for strong eggshells.
Cost Breakdown (Homeade Chicken Feed vs. Store Bought)
Cost Breakdown: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Chicken Feed
One of the biggest reasons people start making their own chicken feed is the savings — and it really adds up. Let’s break down the costs for our simple DIY starter mix based on average prices:
Corn (3 cups / ~1.5 lbs): $0.50
Wheat (3 cups / ~1.5 lbs): $0.60
Oats (2 cups / ~1 lb): $0.40
Peas or Beans (2 cups / ~1 lb): $1.00
Sunflower Seeds (1 cup / ~0.5 lb): $1.00
Crushed Oyster Shells (½ cup / ~0.25 lb): $0.50
Grit (¼ cup / ~0.1 lb): $0.10
Total Cost for the Recipe: ~$4.10 for about 11 cups of feed
Compare that to store-bought layer feed, which can cost $15–$20 for a 50 lb bag (roughly 80 cups). For just 11 cups, that’s $2–$3, which seems comparable, but the big savings come over time as you can:
Buy grains in bulk for cheaper prices
Use kitchen scraps and garden produce to stretch your mix
Avoid the premium markup and fillers found in commercial feeds
Over the course of a year, feeding 5–10 hens with homemade feed can save hundreds of dollars, plus you have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what your flock is eating.
Tried this Recipe?
If you tried this recipe at home and loved it, please snap a photo and share with us in the comments or over on our Instagram which is linked down below!
Connect With Me!Final Thoughts: Is Making Your Own Chicken Feed Worth it?
Making your own chicken feed might sound intimidating at first, but as we’ve covered, it’s actually quite simple and incredibly rewarding. From saving money on expensive store-bought feed to knowing exactly what goes into your flock’s diet, the benefits are clear. Homemade feed allows you to balance grains, proteins, calcium, and extras in a way that supports healthy, happy chickens — and gives you peace of mind that comes from doing it yourself. Plus, with just a few basic ingredients and some kitchen scraps, you can stretch your dollars much further than buying pre-made feed.
At the end of the day, homemade chicken feed isn’t just about saving money; it’s about self-sufficiency, health, and the satisfaction of taking control of your homestead. Even if you start small, making your own mix is a step toward a more sustainable, intentional lifestyle. Your chickens will thrive, your wallet will thank you, and you’ll gain confidence in your ability to care for your flock in a way that feels both practical and rewarding. So, yes — homemade chicken feed is absolutely worth it, and it might just be one of the most satisfying projects you tackle on your homestead.
