Rising feed prices and concerns about feed quality have many farmers looking for sustainable solutions. One of the best ways to gain control and cut long-term costs is by growing your own animal feed. Whether you have chickens, cows, pigs, or goats, producing even a portion of their feed can make your farm more self-reliant, healthy, and profitable. Ready to get started? Here are practical, beginner-friendly tips to start growing your own animal feed, even on a small scale.
Know Your Animals’ Nutritional Needs
Before planting anything, understand what your animals actually need to stay healthy and productive.
Each animal has different feed requirements:
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Chickens need grains, greens, protein, and grit.
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Cows and goats rely heavily on roughage like hay and pasture.
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Pigs need a mix of energy (grains), protein, and some fiber.
Speak with a livestock nutritionist or use local ag extension resources to learn the right balance of carbs, protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins for your specific animals.
Start with Easy-to-Grow Crops
Begin with low-maintenance, high-yield feed crops that grow well in your region.
Good starter crops:
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Corn – High-energy feed for pigs and chickens.
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Oats – Great for horses, poultry, and ruminants.
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Alfalfa or clover – High-protein forage for goats, sheep, and cows.
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Sunflowers – Seeds provide fat and protein.
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Barley – A great grain for mixed livestock rations.
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Pumpkins/squash – A healthy, seasonal treat for pigs and poultry.
Choose crops based on your climate, soil, and water availability, and consider planting both annual and perennial options.
Maximize Pasture and Forage Use
For ruminants (like cows, goats, and sheep), pasture is your cheapest and healthiest feed.
Tips for managing pasture:
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Rotate grazing areas to avoid overgrazing.
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Reseed bare spots to keep it productive.
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Include diverse grasses and legumes to boost nutrition.
You can also grow forage crops like rye, millet, or sorghum for seasonal grazing or cutting as hay.
Plan Your Growing Area Wisely
You don’t need 100 acres to grow feed—just use what you have efficiently.
Planning tips:
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Use crop rotation to avoid depleting soil.
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Intercrop or companion plant (e.g., beans with corn) to maximize space.
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Reserve a small plot to trial new crops each season.
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If space is limited, grow sprouts or microgreens indoors for chickens.
Also consider growing vertically or using cover crops to regenerate soil and feed your animals simultaneously.
Manage Water and Soil Health
Feed crops are only as good as the soil and water that support them.
To improve results:
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Test your soil annually and add amendments as needed.
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Use compost and organic matter to increase fertility.
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Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
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Water crops consistently—especially during early growth.
Healthy soil = nutrient-dense crops = healthier animals.
Store Feed Properly
Once harvested, your feed needs to be stored safely to prevent spoilage, mold, or pests.
Storage tips:
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Keep grains in sealed containers or bins.
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Store hay and forage in a dry, well-ventilated space.
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Use pallets to keep feed off the ground.
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Label feed by harvest date and rotate stock.
Spoiled or moldy feed can harm animals—so storage is just as important as growing.
Supplement Where Needed
You may not grow 100% of your feed—and that’s okay. Supplement with:
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Purchased minerals or salt blocks
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Kitchen or garden scraps (for chickens or pigs)
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Local feed grains to fill nutrition gaps
The goal is to reduce reliance, not achieve perfection. Even growing 25–50% of your feed can make a big difference.
Keep Records and Learn as You Grow
Track what you plant, when you harvest, how much you store, and how your animals respond.
Record-keeping helps you:
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Improve yields over time
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Identify what works (and what doesn’t)
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Plan better crop rotations and timelines
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Make smarter seed or equipment purchases
You don’t need fancy software—a notebook or spreadsheet will do.
Conclusion
Growing your own animal feed isn’t just about saving money—it’s about gaining independence, improving animal health, and using your land more efficiently.
Start small, focus on easy crops, and build your system season by season. Over time, you’ll develop a feed-growing plan that works for your farm, your animals, and your budget.
Less feed bought. More value grown.
