Broken H Farm

I like to think I raise my laying chickens as naturally as possible, while still providing for their needs. I don't use commercially produced feed. Instead I rely on a whole grain diet and plenty of free range. I encourage broodiness and let the hens raise the resulting chicks themselves. 
The beautiful thing about heritage breeds is they are typically good mothers. My Guinea sow is an excellent mother raising 9 piglets with little input from me. My chickens, especially the Dominique, never fail to successfully raise 2-4 clutches a year. They hatch the chicks, guard them jealousy, show them how to scratch and feed themselves and when it's time, kick them out into the wide world on their own. 
The animals here have 11 acres to range over. The chickens only make use of a couple acres of that, but they do a good job spring thru summer hustling and feeding themselves. They clean up fallen fruits from the orchards, clean up after the goats, and work over the compost piles, helping break them down and feeding themselves on the resulting insects. 
I supplement their efforts with a grain feed that I mix myself. Peas, cracked corn, spelt and sunflower seeds are mixed together in a large can monthly. Each day I measure out a portion into a bucket, add water to cover, a sprinkle of brewers yeast and let it soak 8-12hrs. The chickens gobble it up. This mixture is in the 16% protein range. 
Whenever I'm adding large protein to my freezer I always ask for items like the heart and liver and of course the tallow, lard and some large bones from the butcher. These items I'll cook up in different manners and feed out to the chickens when maybe insects are less available, assuring they have plenty of protein. The chickens also love raw clabbered milk when I have access to it and of course they get whey from my cheese making. 
The downside of this grain mix is it does require me driving a couple hours for the spelt and peas but I try to get at least 6mos worth with each trip. The upside is, I know exactly what's in my feed AND the goats can eat it too with no negative side affects. What about vitamins and minerals you ask? Haven't the feed companies told us only they know what's needed? Don't you think the chicken knows what it needs? Mine have access to herbs, clover, fruit, comfrey and more. They can pick and choose what they need. 
Raising chickens isn't hard, but it does take a little effort. 
Until next time, stay hydrated, stay active, stay alert.