How to Feed Your Own Chicken Flock

Raising chickens is a fun hobby. People in both cities and rural areas are discovering the joy of raising chickens. The rapidly rising popularity of web sites such as poultryone.com demonstrate just how popular raising chickens has become among city folk. Perhaps it's an effort to get back to our earthly roots, trying to find a connection with our past. Or maybe it's because we want some control over what we eat, preferring fresh chicken eggs to chemical-laden, commercial produce.

Whatever the reason, raising chickens is gaining popularity. If you're interested in raising chickens, there are a few things that you need to know. One of the most important is what to feed your chickens. As a hobby farmer who has his own flock of chickens, I can tell you some first-hand information on what to feed your chickens to ensure that your hens are happy and healthy!

To begin with, you need water, food and something called "chicken grit."

First, a biology factoid: Did you know that a chicken's body is more than half water? Water, or H2O, is a very, very important food item to give to your chickens. You might not think of water as food, but it is a vital ingredient in a healthy chicken's diet. Too little water makes your chickens dehydrated, leading them to a higher stress level and lower egg laying. In fact, depriving your chickens of water for 24 hours will mean that it will take at least 24 MORE hours for your chickens to regain their health. Besides, that's just mean!

If you are starting your flock from chicks, which is what most people do, about one gallon of clean water (3.78 liters) per day should be enough for about one hundred birds. Of course, I doubt you'll be raising that many chickens, so simple math can help you figure out just how much water you need. Older chickens, such as laying hens, will need about 2 cups of water every day.