Hobbies And Interests

How to Grind Vegetables for Animal Feed

Creating your own feed for animals is a worthy goal and one that may improve the health and vitality of your animals as well as save you some money. If you're tired of commercially produced feed which seems devoid of nutrients and chock full of chemicals, make your own feed simply with a few items and good, raw vegetables. While your animals may not grow as large as those reared in commercial farms, you may notice, with chickens for example, that your birds' eggs are surprisingly colorful and healthy.
  1. Materials Needed

    • You will need a feed mill electric grinder, 15-gallon bucket and wood chute to grind vegetables and grain into animal feed. Select or make your own premix substance made from aragonite, salt, probiotic, crab meal, flax seed and fish meal or other ingredients tailored to the animals you are feeding. Gather dried versions of raw vegetables like alfalfa, corn, peas, wheat, oats and barley which you will grind and add to the premix to complete your homemade animal feed.

    Equipment Selection

    • Set up a heavy-duty electric grinder if you plan to make a few tons of feed each year. Select and set up a non-electric, hand-powered grinder or grain mill if you plan to make much less amounts of feed per year. Set the grinder on a sturdy table in a work area or garage which you don't mind getting dusty. Attach a wood chute to the grinder spout, if desired, to keep dust down during grinding and to direct the ground feed more accurately into a 15-gallon bucket on the floor below the grinder.

    Making the Feed

    • Turn the grinder on and slowly feed dried alfalfa pellets, dried corn and roasted soybeans or dried peas into the grinder. Measure out the appropriate amount of premix and add it to the bucket. Weigh smaller grains like wheat, oats and barley and pour them into the 15-gallon catch bucket with the ground vegetables by hand.

    Storage and Feeding

    • Store the finished feed in a cool, dry place that is easy to access for feedings. Experiment with different quantities until you reach the optimum amount of grain -- enough to use up in about three days. After three days, the organic compounds in the feed begin to decompose which may possible reduce the nutritional benefits of the feed to the animals. Try to store the feed in an airtight container to preserve freshness for up to five days. Observe your animals' behavior to ensure their health and safety while consuming your homemade feed. Call a veterinarian if you notice anything concerning.


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