“Home farming” can be described as a form of urban agriculture in which various animal and plant species are kept or grown, usually on the outskirts of cities or directly within urban areas, in order to use them for personal supply. In most cases, there is little to no commercial interest involved. Instead, “home farming” is primarily understood as a concept of self sufficiency for individuals or families who rediscover the value of home produced goods and make use of them. The animals involved are typically the classic species known from small scale animal breeding, primarily poultry and rabbits. Beekeeping and aquaculture can also be part of this concept, provided the necessary conditions are met. With increasing urbanization, the desire for keeping livestock in a natural way and producing one’s own food in these regions is growing, essentially as a form of “mini agriculture” in a very limited space. As a result, “home farming” is gaining more and more followers. In the poultry sector in particular, there are often overlaps with traditional small animal breeding. It is not uncommon for the simple wish to produce fresh breakfast eggs to eventually lead to membership in a club with organized breeding facilities.
In the poultry sector, it is worth taking a closer look at suitable feeding concepts that can be applied. The first question is which poultry species are typically found in “home farming” concepts in practice. Since these are mainly small scale areas, front gardens, or even balcony settings, larger poultry and waterfowl such as turkeys, geese, and ducks are less common, as appropriate and welfare compliant housing is not feasible in confined spaces. Among suitable breeds, various chicken and bantam breeds are most commonly kept, often so called dual purpose breeds that cover both egg and meat needs. In addition, meat producing pigeon breeds and, in recent years, an increasing number of Japanese quail have become more popular due to their low space requirements.
When producing one’s own food, great importance is placed on feeding that is as natural as possible, without the use of genetically modified ingredients. There is also a strong preference for using locally grown components such as grains and forage plants, as well as leftovers from one’s own meals. Since space in urban areas is often limited, the right feeding concept is essential for producing eggs and meat. In principle, three feeding approaches are available:
- Complete self mixing using one’s own components, including grinding, mixing, and proper storage of the feed.
- The use of regionally harvested grains combined with a protein rich complementary product containing vitamins and minerals.
- Feeding a complete feed that provides all necessary nutrients.
The choice of the appropriate feeding method depends on the availability of components, as well as time and cost factors. If small flocks are bred on site, different types of feed are required for chicks, young birds, and adult animals, meaning each life and performance stage must be considered.
Since “home farming” usually involves smaller animal populations, ready made complete feeds or complementary products are often used, which are sometimes available in 5 kg packages. This ensures feeding that is both appropriate and simple. In the Mifuma range, for example, you can find products such as Ziergeflügel Zucht und Haltung ZZH or the Wellness Legemischung, which is available in a large 25 kg package for bigger poultry groups as well as in a smaller 5 kg package for small flocks.
Of course, with the necessary expertise, all required feed types can also be individually mixed and adapted to the specific needs of the animals. One important reason for this is the use of home grown grains or legumes. Anyone who grows feed plants in their own garden and wants to use them for feeding their animals needs to acquire knowledge about protein and energy content, as well as the maximum recommended inclusion rates of each plant. This is essential to achieve a balanced diet without under or oversupplying the animals. The plants grown at home can in turn be fertilized with manure from the animals, creating a form of circular economy that aligns with the self sufficiency concept of “home farmers”.
Suitable plants for poultry feeding include well known grains such as wheat, maize, barley, oats, and rye, as well as older varieties like emmer, spelt, Karmut, or green spelt. Additionally, non local products that are commonly used in the kitchen, such as rice and millet, can also be included. Protein rich feed plants include native legumes such as peas, field beans, lentils, and lupins. In general, these grains should be offered in dried or crushed form as part of the overall mixture. Although poultry can grind whole grains in their gizzard, awned or very large grains such as barley, oats, or maize are often refused when fed whole.
As mentioned earlier, when selecting purchased feed, increasing importance is placed on ensuring that complete or complementary feeds meet certifications such as “non GMO” or “BIO”. Through appropriate certification, self suppliers can be confident that these feeds meet strict standards and are regularly monitored. It also ensures that the necessary nutrients are included in the correct proportions to produce eggs and meat. For this reason, many Mifuma poultry products carry the “Non GMO” label. Home farmers who prefer organic quality feed will also find suitable options, for example Natur Vollkraftmehl or -pellet A.
Due to its simple management and feeding requirements, purebred poultry is particularly well suited for “home farming” and is also ideal for beginners in this field.
An overview of suitable Mifuma feeds can be found in our product range.
