Feeding & Nutrition

Finding the best organic and non-GMO chicken feeds for your backyard flock shouldn’t feel like decoding a nutrition label at midnight. After spending four years testing different feeds with our mixed flock of 25 hens, including Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, and picky Silkies, we’ve learned that feed quality directly impacts egg production, shell strength, … Read more

Standing in your kitchen with a bunch of overripe, brown bananas, you’ve probably wondered if your backyard flock can help you avoid food waste. You hate throwing food away, and your hens always seem hungry. But are bananas actually safe for them? The short answer is yes, chickens can eat bananas, and they can even … Read more

Yes, chickens can absolutely eat lettuce, and most backyard flocks love it as a healthy treat. However, not all lettuce types are equally nutritious, and feeding guidelines matter for your hens’ health and egg production. As a backyard chicken keeper for over seven years with a happy flock of Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtons, I’ve … Read more

Yes, chickens can eat ripe tomatoes safely. They provide great nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. However, not all parts of the tomato plant are safe. Tomato leaves, stems, and unripe green tomatoes contain toxic compounds called solanine and tomatine that can harm your flock. Ripe, red tomatoes with the stems removed make an … Read more

You might think chickens are simple creatures, happy with just food, water, and a place to roost. I thought so, too, until I noticed my flock was getting into trouble. My favorite hens were starting to peck at each other, and they seemed restless and unhappy. That’s when I realized: my chickens were bored. This … Read more

Can chickens eat pumpkins? Yes, and they absolutely love them. Chickens can safely eat all parts of a pumpkin, including the flesh, seeds, skin, stringy guts, and even the stem if it is soft enough. This fall favorite from the Cucurbita genus is packed with vitamins A, B, C, and E, plus minerals like zinc, potassium, and … Read more

Imagine two identical flocks of chickens. One lays 205 eggs over a 14-week period. The other, fed a different diet, lays an astonishing 499 eggs in the same timeframe. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario; it’s the result of a scientific study comparing a national brand to Nutrena NatureWise chicken feed. When I first heard that … Read more

When I first started raising chickens, I thought all feed was pretty much the same. That changed last March, right when egg prices skyrocketed and my flock’s egg production took a nosedive, and the yolks looked pale and sad. It sent me down a rabbit hole of research, and that’s when I discovered Kalmbach Henhouse … Read more

If you’ve ever found a soft-shelled egg in your nesting box or watched a hen struggle to walk, you’ve witnessed the devastating effects of calcium deficiency firsthand. As someone who’s raised chickens for over a decade, I’ve learned that calcium management is one of the most critical—yet often misunderstood—aspects of chicken health. Calcium deficiency affects … Read more

Making your own chicken feed transforms the way you raise backyard chickens. After mixing my own feed for seven years, I can confidently say the benefits extend far beyond the 20% cost savings. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to make your own chicken feed, providing you with recipes, tips, and the knowledge … Read more