Man cannot live on bread alone and neither can chickens. They’re omnivores which means they need a rounded diet of carbohydrates, protein, and produce. Part of sustaining a hatchery includes using the crops from our own farm. We find joy in creating recipes not just for ourselves, but for the chickens we’re selling to great folks like you.
We have four lovely apple trees on our farm that the chickens just love. Our apples are great for apple pie, but we also want to continue to add nutritional value to our chicken feed. We have so many!
So Why Pumpkins?
Pumpkins used for fall decorations and jack-o-lanterns abound in October. This means in early November, businesses and households (maybe even yours) are throwing their pumpkins away. We think that’s a bit silly. This is a great opportunity to ask for donations.
We posted in our local Facebook Group that we’d be willing to pick them up – et voilá! We’re helping the community around us live a sustainable life and saving on costs while boosting the nutrition of our flock. That’s a win-win-win.
What Do Graywhale Farms Chickens Eat?
We feed our day-old chicks, pullets, and gorgeous hens a hearty meal supplemented with 22% protein for our rare bird species and 28% protein for the game birds. Because of the mineral deficiencies here in Door County, we also supplement their diet with Selenium, Calcium, and Vitamin E. We also add a couple of ounces of apple cider vinegar to our chickens’ water.
We’re raising our birds so that they can produce viable chicks. Your egg-laying backyard chickens only need a 16% protein mix. With this recipe, we’re supplementing our flock with Vitamins A, B1, B6, Fiber, Folate, Magnesium, and copper, as well as antioxidants – and promoting their digestive health (thanks to cayenne peppers).
“It offers a long list of nutrients that protect and support the heart, such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.” WebMD
Quartered Pumpkins & Cayenne Apple Chicken Feed Recipe
When mixed, we distribute about ¼ cup per chicken – a good portion size for a backyard chicken flock. Add about a cup of the diced apples inside each quartered pumpkin to serve. It’s an edible dish!
The chickens love to peck at it. It is fun to watch them grab a piece of apple and go elsewhere to eat it, too.
- Peel off any stickers on your pumpkins. Remove the top. Cut into quarters.
- Core and dice the apples. Sprinkle Caynee Our apples come from our trees here in Door County. Don’t include the core since the seeds can be poisonous.
- Sprinkle Cayenne powder on the apples. Mix.
How are you adding nutrition to your backyard chickens’ diet?
Enjoy!!