310 Q&A Homegrown Chicken Food?

Joshua from Missouri asks:

"We own chickens and are trying to become more self sufficient and sustaining. Instead of buying feed for them, is there a way to grow their whole diet in the garden? I've looked online, but the only nutrition info about a chicken's diet is mainly their protein percentage needed. What about all the other macro and micronutrients? Is there a list of crops to grow that would make a balanced, nutritious daily meal for the egg layers? So far, I've done the math and about 1 1/2 cups of soybeans would meet all the daily protein needs for my 6 chickens but I have no idea about everything else. Also, how different will a chicken's diet need to be if they are meat chickens? Thank you!

For the answers, we turn to Urban Chicken Consultant (really!) and State Certified Poultry Inspector, Cherie Sintes-Glover, of ChickensForEggs.com .

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and transcripts at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout.

Pictured: Coq Orpington Chicken

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ChickensForEggs.com Cooptastic Backyard Poultry Conference, Mar. 15-16 UC Davis Backyard Poultry Page

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