Imagine stepping out your back door into a cozy patchwork of garden beds, where marigolds flirt with kale, bees hum like a lullaby, and a few feathery ladies greet you with eager clucks. The scent of mint and compost mingles in the air while you sip your coffee in a chipped but cherished mug. That’s life on an urban homestead, where concrete meets carrots, and chickens rule the roost.

Keeping chickens in the city isn’t just doable—it’s downright delightful. But as any proud chicken mama knows, happy hens start with good nutrition. That’s where today’s project comes in: a homemade chicken feed recipe that is nourishing, cost-effective, and easy to whip up—whether you’ve got a whole coop or just a couple of backyard girls scratching for snacks.

Project Origin and Inspiration

My love for chickens started way back during summers on my Granny Mae’s farm, where I’d scatter cracked corn like confetti and name every bird like they were royalty. Fast forward a few decades, and here I am, embracing a modern version of that life—smack dab in the middle of town.

When I first started this homesteading journey, I leaned on the wisdom of my elders and a few online mentors who made chickens seem less like a quirky hobby and more like a pathway to peace, sustainability, and good ol’ fashioned joy.

And now? Feeding my flock with ingredients I can pronounce and even grow myself feels like a full-circle moment.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Homemade Chicken Feed

You don’t need a grain silo or a feed mill—just a few ingredients, a big mixing tub, and your own two hands.

Planning & Prepping:

Think of this like planning a Southern belle’s pantry—diverse, nourishing, and oh-so-thoughtful.

Here’s what your feed should aim to include:

• Protein (essential for egg-laying)
• Carbohydrates (energy for those busy scratching days)
• Vitamins & Minerals (for strong shells and healthy feathers)
• Grit (for digestion)

Gathering Ingredients:

Gather your supplies like you’re prepping for a sunny Sunday picnic:

• Whole grains: cracked corn, wheat berries, barley, oats
• Protein sources: split peas, lentils, black oil sunflower seeds, fish meal, or mealworms
• Calcium: crushed oyster shells or finely ground eggshells
• Greens/dry herbs: dried nettle, parsley, or comfrey (optional, but great for health)
• Grit: coarse sand or granite grit

All of these can be bought in bulk at feed stores or natural food co-ops—and many can be grown or foraged, too!

Mixing It Up – Your Basic Chicken Feed Recipe:

Homemade Layer Feed (for laying hens):

• 4 parts whole grains (e.g., 2 parts wheat, 1 part barley, 1 part oats)
• 1 part protein (e.g., sunflower seeds, peas, lentils, or mealworms)
• ½ part calcium (crushed eggshells or oyster shell)
• Optional: a handful of dried herbs or garden greens

Mix well in a large bin or pail with a lid. Store in a cool, dry place.

Nurturing & Feeding:

Feed your flock twice a day, or scatter feed into their run to encourage natural foraging behavior. Keep fresh water available at all times and watch for signs of health: bright combs, active scratching, strong eggshells, and friendly clucks.

Picture This….

Visualize a charming backyard scene: raised beds overflowing with kale and zinnias, a trio of hens pecking curiously at a rustic wooden bowl filled with golden grains, and a cozy bench shaded by a vintage parasol. Nearby, a watering can sits next to a crate of herbs and a gallon jar of dried feed mix. It’s a blend of country charm and DIY spirit—right in the middle of town.

A Little Chicken Tale…

Just last week, my neighbor peeked over the fence and asked, “What is it you’re feeding those birds? Their feathers look like velvet!” I handed her a small jar of my homemade mix and a carton of fresh eggs, and let’s just say… she’s now eyeing coop kits on Pinterest.

These little moments—where tradition meets curiosity—are the real heartbeat of urban homesteading.

In Closing

Whether you’ve got three hens or a dozen, making your own feed is a loving, mindful step toward self-sufficiency. It’s one more way to know exactly what’s going into your animals—and what’s coming back to you, in rich eggs and grounded peace.

Give it a try, friend. And don’t be surprised if your hens cluck their thanks

Love,
Granny B❤️