7 Hacks to Cut Your Chicken Feed Bill
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2020
- Not too long ago (5 years or so) Rebekah and I were butt broke.
To help make ends meet we used food assistance, dumpster dived and grew some of our own food.
But even growing your own food can be expensive UNLESS you have a few tricks under your belt.
I learned so much about saving mucho dinero’s o growing food (especially in the realm of feeding chickens).
My heart goes out to anyone struggling to make ends meet, so I’ve compiled
So, Here are 7 (easy) Hacks to Cut Your Chicken Feed Bill:
Hack #1) Ration your feed. There’s no need to feed your Chickens ALL they can eat. In fact, if they eat too much, it can affect their egg production. So not only do they eat you out of house and home, they give you less eggs!
Hack #2) Soak Feed. Just by covering your daily feed ration in water for 12-24 hours will break down what you call the anti-nutrients and will make your feed 15-25% more digestible. That means you can get away with feeding them 25% less.
Hack #3) Buy in Bulk. We just buy Chick Starter feed for everyone and buy it by the 1,000 pound tote. This saves us at least 20%. If you don’t go through 1,000 pounds in three months (grinded grain starts to go bad after that) then consider joining or starting a co-op.
Hack #4) Move the Chickens. Move them everyday to fresh grass, or at least once a week. Begin cutting their feed back by 10% each week until Egg production is effected. Once egg production is negatively affective you’ve gone to far and need to settle on your last feed level. You might be surprised how much a chicken can get off the land if you just keep their ground fresh.
Hack #5) Feed them from the Garden. It’s not that hard to plant more than you want to eat, and let’s be honest for a second… Don’t we actually like eggs and delicious chicken more than collard greens? So let’s have those chickens convert those veggies into protein :)
Hack #6) Food Scraps. You might have stumbled upon some drama about what Chickens CAN’T eat, but I’ve found they’ll eat almost anything. And, if they can’t eat it, they won’t. So don’t worry. Here’s the thing… Just don’t feed them ONE thing. Sure, if all they were to eat were onions and oranges you’re gonna have some problems, but if they just eat a few onions you’re eggs won’t taste like onions and if they eat some oranges, that’s great, as those contain some essential oils that can benefit them a good deal.
Hack #7) Get in on DIY Abundance and I’ll teach you how to grow you own food and save money. ((((((Link that sentence))))) But, if you can’t afford it, I can help you out. You see, I’m giving away up to 20% of our seats for those who can’t actually afford it. I know times can be tough, but I won’t let that stop you from getting the necessary information you need to plant. Or, you can sign up for our 30 day free trial, consume what you need, then cancel before you get charged. Yes, I just told you how to rip me off, but if you need it, you need it. I mean it. No one left behind because of money. Apply for a scholarship OR sign up for a FREE trial, HERE:
bit.ly/DIYAbundanceMembership
So, hopefully those hacks can help you save mucho dinero.
If you’re interested in learning more about growing your own food, then by all means check out DIY Abundance.
Now, is the best time to register as we’re giving away Joel Salatin’s book, “You Can Farm” for free (if you sign up before 11:59pm EST on Monday)
Learn how to Save Money Growing Your Own Food inside DIY Abundance, HERE:
bit.ly/DIYAbundanceMembership
🌿Check out our Merch at shopjustinrhodes.com/
🌿You Can Homestead. We Can Help. Know-How and Community to Help you on Your Homesteading Journey can be found at abundanceplus.com/
My hack is sprouted barley. First, a 50lb bag of barley for livestock costs 15 bucks at the ranch supply. Then you soak and sprout it, increasing the protein content, and they get live greens. This is especially good for stationary coop situations.
people say that farmers make no money. I've been as poor as you're explaining, while heavily pregnant, working a casual position as a dishwasher and stuffing my face with the leftover food and bringing it home to feed my boyfriend and his mom. We can't dumpster dive here because they lock everything up tight-they don't make life easy for homeless or welfare using people here. It really sticks with you, even now when we are comfortable I find myself buying too many groceries just in case we don't have money again-which really helped when covid first hit and grocery stores were empty. I can totally understand why you would want to do everything in your power to prevent someone else going through that. I had to scrounge up 2 dollars from nickles and dimes to buy my baby some used slippers I was so poor. Luckily my boyfriend found a good job before the baby was born and we moved out of that moldy basement and into a 1 bedroom house. I am aiming for comfortable AND sustainable so I know even if we had no money coming in from outside sources we'd still be okay. It's a huge part of why I idolize your family. We still don't have much money to save, so my dream of buying a parcel of land and building on it is a few years away, but there's still a little bit you can do in the city if you have a small front lawn. I say I'm practicing for the real thing :)
I absolutely LOVE that you said you used to dumpster dive! Thank you - I am currently in the "dumpster diving" phase of providing for my family on our journey to self-sufficiency. Your sharing that just gave me so much hope that the current situation is TEMPORARY as long as we keep pushing through!
Also, members that are paying scholarships for others to learn 😭😭😭 God bless you. That money is feeding folks FOR REAL. Teach a man to fish 😉
Also... Seriously "Did I just tell you to rip me off?!" This just shows where your heart is. While I totally get having to pay the bills with your income from the memberships and youtubes... I get that you have the heart of the teacher. And you want people to succeed. Bless you and yours!
This is why I love watching you so honest kind and giving. Thanks Justin
You have such a good heart Justin. I hope your family continue to blossom and your mission continues to achieve success. It's so touching to know your story and what you've achieved (as a family).
I live in a fully urban city in India, with no access to a farm for miles. But one day i know I'll give up my IT job and start a homestead - and would love to invite your family over!
Best regards from 🇮🇳
“Feed it all” to them! Yes!!! I give everything that we can’t or don’t eat to our animals! Dogs cats chickens and pigs! I get discarded banana boxes full of old bread and bakery from a food pantry.. I have been given many many pounds of food that is expired or blemished and can’t even be given away at the food pantry..I grew out three pigs on much of that food! There is so much food waste in this country that is still palatable and safe for human consumption and perfectly safe to feed animals!
I built a booming business with discarded greeting cards saved from a dumpster. You made my heart feel good. We lived comfortably for 9 years on free goods in Florida, then moved home to Ohio to retire. Nothing wrong with preserving trash! Love you all. Be safe.
My neighbor once saw my chickens eating tomatoes and swore they'd all be dead by morning! Lol
I just love hearing your heart to help people who are willing to try. God bless you and all the food-growers of all levels. Thanks for the great tips!
Justin, you and you family are totally awesome. You are so down to earth talking about previously needing assistance and dumpster diving. Yet, you survived, you thrived and look at you now. Thank you for all you share with us. You inspire us!
Justin you are such a gentleman, paying it forward so others may learn. Bless you son.
I’ve been watching your videos for sometime now and am learning a lot about permaculture farming. As a child we lived on a three acre parcel with aunt, uncle, cousins and grandparents. They raised much food for such a small area mostly chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats and barley.
It’s always been my dream to have a farm. We moved from California when my husband retired and at 70 I’m beginning to realize my dream. I planted 16 fruit trees two yrs ago and have a small veg garden. Praying my husband can build a chicken coop and yard this Fall so we can get some layer chicks in the Spring. Keep up the good work Justin, I’ll be watching.
Blessings, Janet Westrup
We did the exact same things in the 1980’s! Eight people in our family. You make it work. Only for a short while till we got jobs and consistent work. By then our farm became self supported. It was hard but our kids learned frugality and how to survive in the real world....no Nintendo’s either!😆 Love you all have a blessed weekend.
Turning your lettuce into eggs and chickens!! priceless!!
I never live in a farm, but I admire your way of living. Bravo from Québec, Canada
This touched my heart and made me cry. God bless you and your big heart and beautiful family. What amazing energy.
Good tips. I’ve just started my 1st flocks. 30 but lost 4 to a coon. Tightened up coop, trapped it. and no issues since. Can’t do open grazing with amount of hawks & vultures here, but have a 4 x 12 mobile coop. 5 months in, and waiting for that 1st egg. Thinking of trying turkeys.
What a beautiful heart you have. So kind of you to offer this up for those that are trying their best. Keep up they great work and loving spirit! Thank you.
I just signed up for the premium membership. Looking forward to learning more. Thank you!
I love this community you've brought together Justin. Just amazing!
The chicken that pulled the skin from the pan. LMAO
Justin, thank you for all you do for people! It shows what a big heart you have. Your children will even learn from it! Checking in to see how the "Beautiful One" is doing, and Grandma. Hope things are still going well for them both. I know they can have good days and not so good days, but let them know I have them in my thoughts and prayers.
Growing Black Solder Fly Larva
Mr.Justin you are the man a lot of us wants to be one day. Not just a good dad, good husband but also an inspiration to many. Pat yourself on the back from South Africa.
I'm highly impressed with what y'all have accomplished. Kudos!
Hubby and I just finished making a chickshaw from your plans!! So excited about this change from a stationary coop. Got electric fence third hand n with our bumpy land it's a bit tricky getting this used fence set up. Thanks for all you've posted.
I'm able to buy bulk feed by the pound at our local mill. You can buy the 1000 pound bag, but they'll also just fill whatever hard container you bring them. I take in two 15 gallon barrels every few months. Each one holds just under 90 pounds. It's a lot cheaper than the local feed store.
Thank you for your generous heart, you, and your community ...
You guys are the best Justin. Thank you for all of your help.
It got me really upset to hear you guys went through that rough patch. Horrible to hear about amazing people struggling. I love the channel. teddy, you, Rebecca and the kids. Never have I seen kids working so hard and most importantly: smart! Hope it's smooth sailing from now on for you guys x
You and your family are so generous that the abundance Will came back to you!
Thank u for these vlogs. Appreciate all the frugal tips!
This video was so helpful i like your family and homestead and thank you for your helpful vlogs
You guys are such great people and now we do need to learn how to do this because the uncertainty in the world these days, again God bless you for your channel.
Thank you Justin for all you do for us...
It’s funny, during blackberry season my free range flock barely touched their food they were so full of berries we couldn’t reach. Their poop looked TERRIFYING cuz it was black and goopy haha but they all had fun gorging on berries for weeks.
You are an asset, thank you for your videos and sharing your family.
Currently in that hard spot. Will try soaking our feed. We having them free ranging our backyard. But we're in the city so we can't really rotational.
Thanks for your encouragement
Justin I've been watching your videos for a long time, and I watched the one on the sheep, this time I was hollering, but I guess you couldn't hear me, don't cut ar the ankles! LOL that's all right we live and learn. Love your videos.
Happy birthday Lillie. It just seemed like yesterday, y'all were having the 8th birthday. Time flies.
love your generous nature!
you are such a good and caring person
Justin what you’re doing is awesome! 👏👏👍👍👍💯💯💯
Thanks for keeping it real!
This was really helpful. Thank you
I’m so sorry to hear that you had rough times. From Ireland
Gonna start that today, thankyou! 🙏🏽
These helped!! Thanks!
Hey Justin, Grocery Stores are really nice about giving away what they don't want for animals and pets, just ask them when to come by I know that from my daughter's experience. Good luck !
That is so amazing of you to do the scholarships! I don't have the money to pay for the member area, but I also don't have the money or land to invest in expanding so I'll stick around out here until I get myself my own property with lots of space! I'm still making my own food tho, got jumbo meat coturnix quail, egg laying chickens and a nice garden. Only have half an acre so not enough space for a dairy goat or cow.
We live in the city, and our ordinance does not allow chickens on a lot our size. But if things get tough, we have lots of squirrels and one bunny rabbit. LOL Hope Rebecca is feeling well.
Great job
Really enjoy your videos sir.
So beautiful and nice hens and geese :) .
really good vid thanks
I saw a show on an Alaskan family that shot a wolf and wired it to the chicken coop to feed their chickens over the winter with very little extra feed.
parabéns pelo trabalho de vocês, são inspiração. Abraços Daniel aqui do Brasil
Much love
Justin, thank you for this one, you always tell it like it is. Have you made any videos on how to get land or find land that is affordable for someone that doesn't make a lot of money, and have you made any videos on how to make money from your farm?
Amazing vid
I feed my chickens everything if it's. Goimg out in my fridge if they cant eat it thwn they usually dont... And i get an egg a day from everyone
Can you put the soaking liquid in the water dispensers for the chickens rather than water the lawn with it? Seems like they would get the nutrition from it
God bless you!
It gives me hope ...pay what you feel ☺
Thank you Uncle Justin 😎
I'm the first comment yay I appreciate u guys and love yall everyday
Which poultry is the best at foraging and free ranging also can you keep pigs and poultry together
You really are a wealth of knowledge and a kind hearted gentleman. Thank you Justin. Sorry but I have a random question that I ALWAYS wonder about.... Why and How is Gideons “nickname” MR BROWN?
Thanks for the tips.. I soak my chicken feed over night but I don’t strain it
thank you for your kind heart. i cant wait to have legal room for chickens
Love the scholarship!
Chicken's are my favorite pets❤️
What advice can you give for people who don't have the needed equipment for most farming ? I.e. tractors, tillers, cool rooms, etc
Just realized you have almost 725k subscribers. Just. WOW. ❤
Thanks for sharing Justin God Bless yall stay safe
justin-what if you dont have pasture- im getting five backyard chickens in a coup- obviously only doing feed and garden scrapes in a urban area- any advice
I'm surprised you didn't mention the rooster teeth, lol. That is a game changer. :D
First love you guys
Money saved is money earned 👌
Commenting for support
DUMPSTER JUMPING.... HAHAHA .... I'M DEAD!!!!
The only thing I can really say that my chickens haven't liked is bananas. They get it on their beak and then just wipe it off on the ground, funny to watch. You are right, they won't eat it if its bad or they don't like it.
What if we need Randolph's woodworking master class?!?!
Do you guys work or live off the land full time.
I'm surprised that your kids have not started their own mealworms yet. They are super simple
Who do you buy feed from?
nice bro
That was very brave do admit...bravo guys
I have 4 hens and 1 roster the hens just started to lay eggs when will the eggs be fetal i am getting 3 eggs per day
Great share! Small restaurants will also sometimes save scraps, especially if you share some eggs back.
you are awsome
How is Rebecca today?
I'm really interested in ur scholarship? I'm about to move to a small holding. Gunna be tight! Funny we have been discussing chicken feed and alternatives! Then u drop this! Thanks!
the yard dinosaurs will eat anything.
We never soaked feed... didn't know you could... we buy our feed from local hutarits.... I am still trying to talk my husband into buying bulk. He gets em by bagfuls... we do crush all of our egg shells and add to the feed
Justin:chicken feed costs
Me:laughs having a field of corn and many bags of barley
You have a big heart. I'll join up in a bit.
Are your live in australia? So lucky at there
Praise the Lord for your willingness to help others with your knowledge.