Step 1: A high protein diet

 

The foundation of that diet is the wheat grass fodder I grow. Wheat grass is very high in protein, and protein is key to healthy chickens and better tasting eggs.

 

You can also use barley, but I use wheat because barley isn’t available in the quantities I need in my area, and I try to support local businesses.

 

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I explain how to grow fodder in my How to Grow Fodder and Why You Should guide. They love eating the grass, and scratching through the remaining seeds to get at the roots!

 

I also add alfalfa and grass hay, especially in winter. Who doesn’t love reminders of summer when you’re trapped inside? The alfalfa and hay add protein and they get to scratch through it to get to other tasty bits of their dinner.

 

I’ve also found that kelp and nori add protein, and my hens love it.

Step 2: Fiber and Herbs

 

Along with the wheat grass, I add oatmeal, alfalfa, kelp, garlic (fresh or powdered), and dried oregano to my chicken’s feed. The oatmeal provides fiber in an easy to break down form.

 

Recent studies have shown that garlic and oregano have antibiotic properties, and help keep hens healthy and disease-free.

 

I purchase my organic garlic and oregano from Thrive Market (affiliate link). Thrive carries organic, free trade products at wholesale prices.

 

In fact, some large egg operations have been able to eliminate antibiotics completely from their hens’ diets after adding oregano and garlic to their feed. They claim their hens have never been healthier.

 

Chicken farmers in Italy have long touted that for better tasting eggs, a forage-based diet is the secret to golden yolks (calendula, also known as marigold helps also!).

I’ll take it.

 

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Step 3: Fresh foods

 

I don’t use a set recipe. I just sprinkle and mix. I also add kitchen scraps, as well as fresh veggies like cabbage, tomatoes (which they can pick through), etc.

 

Since it’s winter and their water keeps freezing, the fresh veggies help them stay hydrated in addition to giving me better tasting eggs.

 

In warmer weather, I add weeds I pull from the garden, grass clippings, fallen fruit, etc to their diet.

 

And they give me great tasting, golden yolked eggs.

 

And a bonus? The garlic keeps the coop smelling nice!

 

This spring, I’m also going to add a mealworm farm to the homestead, specifically for the hens.

 

I think they will love the added protein and “hunting” their own bugs (especially since, thanks to neighbor dogs, I can’t let them free range anymore).

 

For yolks that look like lovely balls of sunshine, I think the most important thing is happy hens that have a diet high in protein.

 

Want to read more? Check out this article by the University of Colorado!

I’d love to hear from you!

What do you feed your chickens for better tasting eggs?