Animal Feed Recipes
Trying to cut down on food costs for your homestead animals? If so, these animal feed recipes are a great place to begin. Mixing up feed that’s healthy, nutritious, and tailored to the challenges in your area can make a big difference in raising strong, resilient livestock on your farm or homestead.
Keep this with the rest of your homesteading tips and start a section on recipes and care for your goats, chickens, pigs, and more.
When we first started homesteading, we decided to begin with pigs. It wasn’t exactly the most common way to kick things off, but our boys wanted to try out 4H, and in our area, pigs were the go-to animal for raising and showing.
We quickly realized that taking care of any animal is a big responsibility. Their care and health demand attention, and it didn’t take long to figure out that if you’re not careful, raising animals can get expensive fast. On a homestead, though, “expensive” just doesn’t cut it. That’s when we got creative with our animal feed, making sure we could provide high-quality nutrition without the hefty price tag.
The Good and Bad of Commercial Animal Feeds
When it comes to commercial animal feeds, not all ingredients are created equal. Some provide essential nutrition for your animals, while others can be harmful or downright unnecessary. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand what to look for when choosing feed for your animals.
The Good Ingredients
- Whole Grains: Ingredients like oats, barley, and corn give animals energy and are packed with nutrients.
- Soybean Meal: A great source of protein to support growth and development.
- Vitamins and Minerals: These are essential for keeping animals healthy and ensuring proper body functions.
- Alfalfa: This is rich in fiber and helps with digestion, especially for animals like rabbits, goats, and cows.
The Bad Ingredients
- Fillers (like Corn Husk or Hulls): These offer little to no nutritional value and are used to bulk up the feed cheaply.
- Animal Byproducts: While they might sound okay, they can include parts of animals you probably wouldn’t want in your feed and may carry health risks.
- Artificial Additives: Colorants and preservatives may make feed look appealing but offer no benefit to nutrition and may even harm some animals.
- Excessive Sugar: Sweeteners are sometimes added to make feed more palatable, but too much can lead to health issues like obesity.
- GMO’s: Genetically modified organisms can be found in animal feed and may carry unknown health risks.
Knowing what’s in your animal’s feed is a big step toward ensuring their health and happiness. Whether you’re buying feed or making your own recipes, focusing on quality ingredients will always pay off.
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Animal Feed Recipes
Making your own animal feed can save money and help you feel confident about your livestock’s nutrition. Before you start, it’s always a good idea to check in with your vet. They can provide tips or advice tailored to your animals’ specific needs and what, if any, issues in your area need nutritional attention.
Pig Feed Recipe
This pig feed recipe is packed with everything your pigs need to stay healthy and grow strong. Corn provides energy, soybean meal adds protein for muscle growth, and oats or barley support digestion with fiber. With added minerals and alfalfa for extra nutrients, it’s a balanced choice for thriving pigs.
- Ingredients:
- 50% corn
- 30% soybean meal
- 10% oats or barley
- 8% alfalfa meal
- 2% mineral premix
- Instructions:
Grind the grains if needed and mix everything thoroughly. This recipe provides a balance of energy, protein, and fiber to keep pigs healthy and thriving.
Storage Tips: Keep the feed in a cool and dry place to prevent spoilage. Use within 6 months for optimal freshness.
Chicken Feed Recipe
This chicken feed recipe is a great choice for keeping your flock healthy and productive. Cracked corn and wheat give them the energy they need, while soybean meal boosts protein for muscle development. The oyster shell is essential for strong eggshells, and the optional dried herbs can help support their overall health. It’s a balanced mix for happy, egg-laying chickens.
- Ingredients:
- 40% cracked corn
- 30% wheat
- 20% soybean meal
- 5% oyster shell (for calcium)
- 5% dried herbs like oregano or thyme (optional, for overall health)
- Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together. Oyster shell helps with strong eggshells, and the grains provide energy and protein.
Storage Tips: Keep the feed in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. It’s best to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Get our list of Livestock Feed Storage Containers here!
Rabbit Feed Recipe
Rabbits need a diet rich in fiber to maintain healthy digestion, and this feed recipe hits the mark. Alfalfa pellets provide that all-important fiber, while rolled oats and barley supply steady energy. The dried vegetable scraps add natural vitamins, and black oil sunflower seeds offer extra nutrients for a shiny coat and overall wellness.
- Ingredients:
- 40% alfalfa pellets
- 25% rolled oats
- 20% barley
- 10% dried vegetable scraps (like carrot tops)
- 5% black oil sunflower seeds
- Instructions:
Mix everything together. High fiber is crucial for rabbits, and this mix also provides energy and vitamins.
Storage Tips: Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This mix can last up to six months if stored properly.
Goat Feed Recipe
Goats thrive on a balanced diet, and this feed recipe delivers just that. Oats and barley provide energy and fiber, while alfalfa pellets add essential protein. Black oil sunflower seeds offer healthy fats and extra nutrients, and the mineral supplement ensures they get all the essentials for strong bones and overall health. It’s a well-rounded mix to keep your goats healthy and the milk flowing.
- Ingredients:
- 35% oats
- 30% barley
- 20% alfalfa pellets
- 10% black oil sunflower seeds
- 5% mineral supplement
- Instructions:
Combine all ingredients. Goats need a good mix of fiber, protein, and minerals to stay healthy and productive.
Storage Tips: Store the feed in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage and preserve freshness. It’s recommended to use airtight containers or bins to keep out pests and moisture.
Duck Feed Recipe
Ducks thrive on a nutrient-rich diet, and this feed recipe is designed to meet their unique needs. Cracked corn and wheat supply plenty of energy, while soybean meal and peas provide essential protein for growth and muscle health. The brewer’s yeast is a great source of niacin, crucial for strong legs and overall vitality. It’s a balanced blend to keep your ducks healthy and active.
- Ingredients:
- 30% cracked corn
- 30% wheat
- 20% soybean meal
- 10% peas
- 10% brewer’s yeast (for extra nutrients)
- Instructions:
Blend all components well. Ducks do best with high-energy feed that contains adequate protein and added niacin.
Storage Tips: Store in a cool, dry place and keep the feed fresh by using it within two months. Make sure to always provide clean, fresh water for your ducks to stay hydrated.
Sheep Feed Recipe
Sheep require a diet that balances energy, protein, and essential nutrients, and this feed recipe delivers perfectly. Oats and barley supply energy and fiber, while alfalfa pellets provide protein for growth and maintenance. Flaxseed adds healthy fats for coat quality, and the sheep-specific mineral mix ensures they get vital nutrients without the risks of excess copper.
- Ingredients:
- 40% oats
- 25% barley
- 20% alfalfa pellets
- 10% flaxseed
- 5% mineral mix (designed for sheep)
- Instructions:
Stir together thoroughly. Ensure minerals are specifically for sheep, as too much copper can be harmful.
Storage Tips: Store in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness and prevent mold growth.
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Transitioning to New Feed
Switching your animals to new feed needs to be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. Over the course of 7–10 days, mix the new feed with their current one, increasing the proportion of the new feed each day. Keep an eye on their behavior and health during the adjustment period. Signs to watch for include:
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Drop in energy levels.
If anything seems off, slow the transition or contact your vet for advice. Once your animals are fully transitioned to the new feed, monitor them closely for any changes in behavior or health. It’s also important to regularly check the expiration date on your feed and rotate it out as needed to ensure freshness and quality for your animals.
Making your own animal feed is not just about saving money; it’s about ensuring your animals get the best possible nutrition. By using these recipes, you’re taking control of what goes into their feed, tailoring it to their specific needs, and helping them stay healthy and productive. Whether you’re feeding chickens, goats, ducks, or any other livestock, these recipes are a great starting point for creating a balanced and nutritious diet.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the recipes based on your animals’ needs and what’s available in your area. Remember, the healthier your animals are, the more rewarding your homesteading experience will be. Give one (or a few) of these recipes a try and see the difference it makes for your livestock.
With your hard work and these animal feed recipes, you’ll be able to support growth, boost production, and keep your animals thriving.
