HOW TO CUT YOUR CHICKEN FEED COSTS IN HALF – 7 EASY WAYS!

How to Cut Your Chicken feed Costs in Half – 7 Easy Ways!

With the current cost of living, many countries monitor their budgets across the country. Although chickens provide both economic benefits, like eggs, and many other benefits, they also come at a cost. The main cost for raising chickens is feed. The cost of pet feed, like everything else, continues to rise. Therefore, it makes sense to try to save money on chicken feed.

Why most feed saving hack don’t work
 
There is a lot of bad advice out there. Many feed saving hacks, such as combining feed with other items or restricting access to food, do not work and cost you money.
 
Poor diet leads to deficiency and disease. Sick chickens lay fewer eggs and have a shorter lifespan. It costs you money, not to mention vet bills.

Fortunately, there are great ways to save money on chicken feed that actually work. We know; we tried them in our own chicken.

7. ways to save money on chicken feed

1. Store feed properly
 
Nutritional value is
greatly reduced by storage, and especially with poor storage. If their
feed isn’t giving them what they need, your chickens will eat more!
 
Save
money by keeping stored feed cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
Place feed bags off the floor and keep them in a secure container to protect
them from insects and rodents.

Read also: FIGHTING FOWL POX? THE EXPERT ADVICE YOU NEED TO PROTECT YOUR POULTRY

2. Reduce chicken feed waste
 
When customers complain about the amount of chicken feed their consume, the first question we ask is what type of feeder they are using. Often, they use feeders that allow the chickens to scatter feed on the ground.

 
Though they usually pick it when hungry.Note that once feed is on the ground, it become contaminated with faeces and creates toxins that carry worms and disease. Chickens don’t eat dirty feed unless they have to, and if they do, it can make them sick. Sick chickens are expensive and they don’t produce.
 
A waste-reducing feeder that prevents chickens from wasting feed on the ground can cut feed costs by up to half!
 
No more dirty,wet feed on the ground, saving time and money. And a little feed on the ground also helps prevent mice. If all the food is in the feeder, where it goes to your chickens, you save money.

3. Stop feeding the wildlife

Mice and pest birds can eat as easily as your flock, adding to your feed bill. Preventing them from eating your feed will help you save money. A mouse visits the hen house at night.

 Here is a simple method to prevent mice:
 

•  Keep feed off the ground by using waste reduction feeders.

• Clean up leftovers and don’t leave feed on the floor overnight

• Rodent proof the coop

•  Protect the feeder at night by removing it or using a locking cap

•  Dealing With Rodent Problems Quickly

Wild birds visit the chicken coop during the day. In addition to adding to your feed bill, wild birds carry diseases that can be transmitted to your chickens.

 Properly securing your chicken coop and run is another safety measure – bird netting can be used effectively to cover your chicken coop.

4. Choose a pellet feed
 
Pellet feed is the best option for saving money.
 
The scratch joints are cheap at first, but they support the feed choices. Chickens avoid eating parts of feed they don’t like. This affects their health, reduces egg production, but increases your feed bill!
 
Chickens may also eat a mixture rather than pellets, either because they are not getting enough protein or because they are encouraged to eat junk food such as seeds. sunflower and corn.

Read also:THE LEADING CAUSES OF EARLY CHICK MORTALITY AND 14 WAYS TO REDUCE MORTALITY

 5. Deworm your chooks

If your chickens have worms, these worms absorb some of the nutrients in their feed. Although a high worm weight can cause a decrease in appetite, generally speaking, hens with worms will eat more as they lose weight and lay smaller eggs.
 
Regular deworming  – twice a year – can help reduce your feed bills. At only 10 cents per dose, it’s really worth it!

 6. Shop around for Protein
 
Choose feeds with 16-18% protein. Protein is the most important part of feed and the most expensive. Lack of protein leads to health problems and reduced egg production. It can also make your chickens eat more because they are not satiated.

7. Think twice before buying in bulk
 
Although buying in bulk can save money, unless you have hundreds of chickens, it’s probably not practical to buy more than a standard 20kg bag of feed at a time.
 
Stored feed can easily spoil from mold, moisture, or spoilage. And nutritional value deteriorates over time.
 
Although you can save a few dollars up front, for many backyard chicken breeders, buying a large amount is too risky to get the economic benefit.