Whole Grain Chicken Feed

When we started our flock of chickens with four birds, the cost and type of food didn't matter much. We bought a fifty pound bag of commercial feed about once a month from a farm store. If the hens spilled and wasted some or the price of feed fluctuated, it didn't make a big difference to us.

Now that we have fifteen chickens, things are different. They can eat a fifty pound bag of feed in less than two weeks. As soon as City Folk's Farm Shop opened, we switched to buying feed from them. We wanted to like their organic and non-GMO offerings, but with more powder than large pieces, our hens spilled constantly. Spilling feed is not only cash on the ground but the resulting mess combines with soil moisture and begins to ferment and stink. Yuck.

When City Folk's opened their new feed mixing station, I took a class with Denise Beno to learn about whole grain chicken feed. Denise shared advantages and disadvantages to whole grains, her philosophy to feed twice a day only what they can eat in fifteen minutes (no thieving by sparrows!), and several feed mix ratios. I was sold and mixed my own feed shortly thereafter.

The girls (and guy) seem to love it. Spilling still happens but they're more likely to eat what falls because it's in bigger pieces. We're going through less feed than expected and therefore it costs less than buying high quality pre-mixed food. Cleaning the hen house has become more pleasant because the poop from whole-grain fed chickens is less prolific and less smelly in our experience.

How To Feed Chickens Whole Grain

1. Use a recipe that provides a variety of grains, protein sources, and minerals. You may change the grain mix to include cheaper/more available grains in subsequent batches but try not to change too many things at once.

2. Provide grit, oyster shell, and fresh water at all times. Hens using whole grain will consume more grit and oyster than hens on commercial pelleted feed. I made a grit and oyster shell feeder using our pvc feeder design.

3. Transition slowly by mixing in the new feed:

• Week one - 3/4 previous (commerical) feed, 1/4 whole grain mix
• Week two - 1/2 previous feed, 1/2 whole grain mix
• Week three - 1/4 previous feed, 3/4 whole grain mix
• Week four (or whenever you run out of previous feed) - 100% whole grain

4. During this time, egg production may slow a little and/or eggshells may thin as the hens get used to eating the new food, grit, and shell. After four weeks, my girls were up to their regular production and shells are thick and strong again.

5. Experiment to determine how much feed you need. Denise recommended 1/3 pound per chicken per day, which would be 5 pounds per day for my flock but they're actually eating 3.5-4 pounds per day. The difference may be that some of my chickens are bantams and it's winter so they aren't expending much energy foraging. We also feed all the table scraps they will eat.

Rachel's Whole Grain Layer Feed Mix

Makes 50#

12.5# whole oats 12.5# wheat 12.5# cracked corn 1.5# fish meal 2.5# alfalfa pellets (not my hen's favorite and can be eliminated with good pasture) 7.5# whole soy beans 1 # mineral supplement

Whole Grain Chicken Feed

When we started our flock of chickens with four birds, the cost and type of food didn't matter much. We bought a fifty pound bag of commercial feed about once a month from a farm store. If the hens spilled and wasted some or the price of feed fluctuated, it didn't make a big difference to us.

Now that we have fifteen chickens, things are different. They can eat a fifty pound bag of feed in less than two weeks. As soon as City Folk's Farm Shop opened, we switched to buying feed from them. We wanted to like their organic and non-GMO offerings, but with more powder than large pieces, our hens spilled constantly. Spilling feed is not only cash on the ground but the resulting mess combines with soil moisture and begins to ferment and stink. Yuck.

When City Folk's opened their new feed mixing station, I took a class with Denise Beno to learn about whole grain chicken feed. Denise shared advantages and disadvantages to whole grains, her philosophy to feed twice a day only what they can eat in fifteen minutes (no thieving by sparrows!), and several feed mix ratios. I was sold and mixed my own feed shortly thereafter.

The girls (and guy) seem to love it. Spilling still happens but they're more likely to eat what falls because it's in bigger pieces. We're going through less feed than expected and therefore it costs less than buying high quality pre-mixed food. Cleaning the hen house has become more pleasant because the poop from whole-grain fed chickens is less prolific and less smelly in our experience.

How To Feed Chickens Whole Grain

1. Use a recipe that provides a variety of grains, protein sources, and minerals. You may change the grain mix to include cheaper/more available grains in subsequent batches but try not to change too many things at once.

2. Provide grit, oyster shell, and fresh water at all times. Hens using whole grain will consume more grit and oyster than hens on commercial pelleted feed. I made a grit and oyster shell feeder using our pvc feeder design.

3. Transition slowly by mixing in the new feed:

• Week one - 3/4 previous (commerical) feed, 1/4 whole grain mix
• Week two - 1/2 previous feed, 1/2 whole grain mix
• Week three - 1/4 previous feed, 3/4 whole grain mix
• Week four (or whenever you run out of previous feed) - 100% whole grain

4. During this time, egg production may slow a little and/or eggshells may thin as the hens get used to eating the new food, grit, and shell. After four weeks, my girls were up to their regular production and shells are thick and strong again.

5. Experiment to determine how much feed you need. Denise recommended 1/3 pound per chicken per day, which would be 5 pounds per day for my flock but they're actually eating 3.5-4 pounds per day. The difference may be that some of my chickens are bantams and it's winter so they aren't expending much energy foraging. We also feed all the table scraps they will eat.

Rachel's Whole Grain Layer Feed Mix

Makes 50#

12.5# whole oats 12.5# wheat 12.5# cracked corn 1.5# fish meal 2.5# alfalfa pellets (not my hen's favorite and can be eliminated with good pasture) 7.5# whole soy beans 1 # mineral supplement

BIG Plans {Friday Five}

What's going on behind the computer these days? Planning, saving, measuring, and more planning. In the coming few months, our little homestead will undergo a lot of changes. Here's what's going on:

Kitchen Renovation Underway - When Uncle Leonard, our personal contractor-like friend, suggests moving up the start date for the big gut and replace kitchen project, we had to say yes. Mid-April is now early April, which means supply purchases begin now. In four weeks we will (pending no big surprises) be cooking with gas! Gas! I can't wait to fix our dysfunctional kitchen. I'll share specific plans and our strategy for quick renovations soon.

Mudroom Finishing - Uncle Leonard will tease us endlessly unless we finish the mudroom before he arrives in a few weeks. Afterall, he was instrumental in building it...in July... We'll be drywalling, painting, and adding gutters this weekend. Oh, and clearing out the garage so we have room to store the kitchen supplies as they're purchased

Ponds and Swales - The front plot where we'll plant Swainway Urban Farm produce has some water issues. We debated an agricultural tile system but that seems to be throwing away a potential resource. Instead, we're going to try digging two small ponds with a series of swales to direct and hold water. We will plant the edges in water-loving habitat flowers and grasses.

Move the Chicken Yard - Our chickens need more space to roam further away from the main garden. We're going to give them a big portion of the yard in a shady area that isn't ideal for planting. I think we're finally going to invest in portable electric fencing so that we can change the shape of their yard as other projects reveal themselves.

Low Mow - Alex is thrilled that I want to mow a lot less this year. We'll keep enough grass mowed for kids to run in and baby trees to survive, but we want to let a lot more grow wild. The wild will be managed be seeding flowers and incorporating native transplants. Less fuel wasted, more wildlife habitat, and less work - why didn't we think of this last year?

Of course, we're still seeding greens and roots in the hoop house, potatoes and peas outside, and tending seedlings inside. And celebrating Pi Day. And teaching classes, working with Swainway Urban Farm, and occaisionally tending shop at City Folk's. And making freezer food for the week or so we'll be without a kitchen. Busy days.

What are your BIG Plans?

BIG Plans {Friday Five}

What's going on behind the computer these days? Planning, saving, measuring, and more planning. In the coming few months, our little homestead will undergo a lot of changes. Here's what's going on:

Kitchen Renovation Underway - When Uncle Leonard, our personal contractor-like friend, suggests moving up the start date for the big gut and replace kitchen project, we had to say yes. Mid-April is now early April, which means supply purchases begin now. In four weeks we will (pending no big surprises) be cooking with gas! Gas! I can't wait to fix our dysfunctional kitchen. I'll share specific plans and our strategy for quick renovations soon.

Mudroom Finishing - Uncle Leonard will tease us endlessly unless we finish the mudroom before he arrives in a few weeks. Afterall, he was instrumental in building it...in July... We'll be drywalling, painting, and adding gutters this weekend. Oh, and clearing out the garage so we have room to store the kitchen supplies as they're purchased

Ponds and Swales - The front plot where we'll plant Swainway Urban Farm produce has some water issues. We debated an agricultural tile system but that seems to be throwing away a potential resource. Instead, we're going to try digging two small ponds with a series of swales to direct and hold water. We will plant the edges in water-loving habitat flowers and grasses.

Move the Chicken Yard - Our chickens need more space to roam further away from the main garden. We're going to give them a big portion of the yard in a shady area that isn't ideal for planting. I think we're finally going to invest in portable electric fencing so that we can change the shape of their yard as other projects reveal themselves.

Low Mow - Alex is thrilled that I want to mow a lot less this year. We'll keep enough grass mowed for kids to run in and baby trees to survive, but we want to let a lot more grow wild. The wild will be managed be seeding flowers and incorporating native transplants. Less fuel wasted, more wildlife habitat, and less work - why didn't we think of this last year?

Of course, we're still seeding greens and roots in the hoop house, potatoes and peas outside, and tending seedlings inside. And celebrating Pi Day. And teaching classes, working with Swainway Urban Farm, and occaisionally tending shop at City Folk's. And making freezer food for the week or so we'll be without a kitchen. Busy days.

What are your BIG Plans?

Buckwheat Almond Buttermilk Pancakes {Recipe}

I have a problem with pancakes. It seems to run in the family because my father has the same issue. We can't eat a stack with syrup without a dramatic drop in blood sugar that makes our tummies feel sick and our heads spin.

But like every good child, Lil loves pancakes. Alex likes them too - as long as they are light and fluffy.

I've tried adding ricotta or pumpkin and using whole wheat flour, but pancakes always got the best of me. Until last Saturday when I created a buckwheat pancake recipe.

I combined samples of Shagbark Mill's local, organic, freshly milled buckwheat flour with Bob's Red Mill new almond flour as a base with buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs. The resulting buckwheat almond buttermilk pancakes are light and airy with an earthy, slightly soured taste. Fat + higher fiber and protein flours = a breakfast I can enjoy! Alex liked the fluffiness and Lil approved of the flavor.

As a bonus, this recipe can be naturally gluten-free if you use flours that aren't processed on shared equipment.

Buckwheat Almond Buttermilk Pancakes Makes: 24 3-inch pancakes Time: 20-30 minutes

1 1/2 cup freshly ground buckwheat flour 1/2 cup almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 1/2 cup cultured low-fat buttermilk (you may need to add 1/4 cup additional buttermilk if not using freshly ground buckwheat flour) 2 eggs Fat or oil for frying (I used lard)

1. In a large bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. 2. Melt butter in a glass liquid measure in the microwave or small pot on the stove top. Stir buttermilk and eggs into the butter. 3. Pour wet ingredients into dry, stirring just until combined. 4. Heat a cast iron pan or griddle on the stove over medium. Melt fat or oil over the surface and drop batter by 1/4 cup fulls. Cook for 1-2 minutes, flip once, and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Thanks to Bob's Red Mill for providing samples of their new line of nut meals and flours.

Buckwheat Almond Buttermilk Pancakes {Recipe}

I have a problem with pancakes. It seems to run in the family because my father has the same issue. We can't eat a stack with syrup without a dramatic drop in blood sugar that makes our tummies feel sick and our heads spin.

But like every good child, Lil loves pancakes. Alex likes them too - as long as they are light and fluffy.

I've tried adding ricotta or pumpkin and using whole wheat flour, but pancakes always got the best of me. Until last Saturday when I created a buckwheat pancake recipe.

I combined samples of Shagbark Mill's local, organic, freshly milled buckwheat flour with Bob's Red Mill new almond flour as a base with buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs. The resulting buckwheat almond buttermilk pancakes are light and airy with an earthy, slightly soured taste. Fat + higher fiber and protein flours = a breakfast I can enjoy! Alex liked the fluffiness and Lil approved of the flavor.

As a bonus, this recipe can be naturally gluten-free if you use flours that aren't processed on shared equipment.

Buckwheat Almond Buttermilk Pancakes Makes: 24 3-inch pancakes Time: 20-30 minutes

1 1/2 cup freshly ground buckwheat flour 1/2 cup almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 1/2 cup cultured low-fat buttermilk (you may need to add 1/4 cup additional buttermilk if not using freshly ground buckwheat flour) 2 eggs Fat or oil for frying (I used lard)

1. In a large bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. 2. Melt butter in a glass liquid measure in the microwave or small pot on the stove top. Stir buttermilk and eggs into the butter. 3. Pour wet ingredients into dry, stirring just until combined. 4. Heat a cast iron pan or griddle on the stove over medium. Melt fat or oil over the surface and drop batter by 1/4 cup fulls. Cook for 1-2 minutes, flip once, and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Thanks to Bob's Red Mill for providing samples of their new line of nut meals and flours.

Mark Your Calendars - March & April 2014 Special Events

As always, the creative community around central Ohio is offering a full slate of special events to usher in the spring growing season. Here's a selection of dates we recommend:

County Soil and Water Conservation District Tree Sales - Many counties around Ohio offer bare root saplings at discounted rates during the early spring. Franklin has a nice variety of shrubs and several fruit trees, Delaware has sugar maples, and Greene has a great price on sugar maple packs.

Maple Madness - March 8/9 & 15/16 - The Ohio Maple Producer's Association has pulled together a driving tour of maple sugaring operations all over the state.

Naomi's Garden Maple Syrup Tour - March 15 - Our personal favorite maple producer is Therese who sells at the Clintonville Farmers' Market. She is offering a tour this year through the market by pre-registration.

Kids Keep Chickens  - April 12 - Lil is co-teaching her first class with me, Rachel, on April 12. We're leading an hour-long class about keeping chickens for children, including a story, craft, and snuggle time with a real hen.

Wilmington College Food Symposium - April 23, 2014 - This day-long FREE event will feature a cake bake-off, panel discussion (including Rachel!), campus and college farm tours, and keynote by Joel Salatin.

Yellow Springs Earthship Build - April 12/13, May 17/18, June 7/8 and/or June 28/29 - Help a family build an earthship under the guidance of the expert builders at Blue Rock Station.

Do you know of any food and farm events to add to the list? Share them in the comments!

Mark Your Calendars - March & April 2014 Special Events

As always, the creative community around central Ohio is offering a full slate of special events to usher in the spring growing season. Here's a selection of dates we recommend:

County Soil and Water Conservation District Tree Sales - Many counties around Ohio offer bare root saplings at discounted rates during the early spring. Franklin has a nice variety of shrubs and several fruit trees, Delaware has sugar maples, and Greene has a great price on sugar maple packs.

Maple Madness - March 8/9 & 15/16 - The Ohio Maple Producer's Association has pulled together a driving tour of maple sugaring operations all over the state.

Naomi's Garden Maple Syrup Tour - March 15 - Our personal favorite maple producer is Therese who sells at the Clintonville Farmers' Market. She is offering a tour this year through the market by pre-registration.

Kids Keep Chickens  - April 12 - Lil is co-teaching her first class with me, Rachel, on April 12. We're leading an hour-long class about keeping chickens for children, including a story, craft, and snuggle time with a real hen.

Wilmington College Food Symposium - April 23, 2014 - This day-long FREE event will feature a cake bake-off, panel discussion (including Rachel!), campus and college farm tours, and keynote by Joel Salatin.

Yellow Springs Earthship Build - April 12/13, May 17/18, June 7/8 and/or June 28/29 - Help a family build an earthship under the guidance of the expert builders at Blue Rock Station.

Do you know of any food and farm events to add to the list? Share them in the comments!