How to Grind Your Own Chicken Feed

Grinding your own chicken feed at home is easy. Whole grains like corn are less expensive than the ground varieties and by grinding your own you can custom mix your chickens' feed. One option for grinding chicken feed is to use a food mill but food mills can be expensive. If you do not want to risk damage to your food mill, a cheaper alternative is to use a hand-operated meat grinder, which work great on corn and other grains and save you money.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand-operated meat grinder
  • Whole corn or other dried grain
  • Storage container
  • Measuring cup
  • Grinder plunger
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the forming blades from the hand powered meat grinder. The forming blades are round disks with small wholes in them. They are located on the end of the grinder where the meat comes out. Leave the cutting blade in the grinder.

    • 2

      Put your storage container under the end of the grinder to catch your ground feed.

    • 3

      Measure 2 cups of whole corn and pour it in the top of the grinder.

    • 4

      With one hand, use the plunger to push the corn down the grinder shaft while you use the other hand to turn the crank. The grinder will chop the corn and it will fall into the storage container.

    • 5

      Repeat this process until you have the desired amount of ground feed. The process is the same for millet, oats, wheat and other dried grains. Grind the grains one at a time and mix them together in the storage container.