Raising chickens is an adventure filled with fresh eggs, quirky personalities, and the occasional rogue hen roosting where she shouldn’t. But whether you’re tending a backyard flock or managing a small farm, one thing is certain: proper nutrition is the key to raising healthy, happy, and productive chickens.
Figuring out what to feed your flock—and when—can be downright confusing. With so many chicken feed options like starter feed, grower feed, layer feed, and supplements, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, feeding chickens the right food at each stage of life is essential for their growth, development, and egg production. Whether you're in it for the eggs, the companionship, or simply to have a feathery clean-up crew patrolling the yard, understanding their nutritional needs is a must.
From fluffy baby chicks to seasoned laying hens, a chicken’s dietary needs evolve over time—and so should their feed. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding chickens at each life stage. From chick to layer feed and chicken grit, we’re breaking down the best, all-natural food choices to keep your feathered friends healthy, happy, and thriving.
The Nutritional Needs of Chicken Feed
Before diving into the specific types of chicken feed for each important growth stage, it's helpful to first understand the core nutrients chickens need.
- Protein: The cornerstone of a chicken's diet, protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. It plays a crucial role in feather development, ensuring a healthy plumage. For laying hens, protein is vital for egg production, as it provides the building blocks for the egg white and yolk. The protein requirements of chickens vary depending on their age and life stage. Chicks and young birds need higher protein levels to support their rapid growth, while laying hens require a consistent intake of protein to sustain egg production.
- Carbohydrates: The primary energy source for chickens, carbohydrates are found in chicken scratch and grains like corn, wheat, and barley. They provide the fuel that keeps chickens active and healthy, enabling them to forage, explore, and engage in their natural behaviors. Carbohydrates also play a role in maintaining body temperature and supporting various metabolic processes.
- Fats: While often overlooked, natural fats are an important component of a chicken's diet. They provide a concentrated source of energy and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Healthy fats, such as those found in sunflower seeds and flaxseed, can also improve egg quality by increasing the yolk's size and richness.
- Vitamins and Minerals: A balanced intake of vitamins and minerals is crucial for a chicken's overall health and well-being. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important for strong bones and eggshells, while other trace minerals like zinc, iron, and copper support various bodily functions. Vitamins, such as those found in leafy greens and vegetables, are essential for immune function, vision, and feather health.
- Grit: While not a nutrient itself, grit plays a vital role in a chicken's digestive system. Chickens lack teeth and rely on their gizzard, a muscular organ, to grind food. Grit, composed of small stones or crushed shells, helps the gizzard break down food into smaller particles, making it easier to digest. Providing a source of grit is especially important for chickens that have access to free-range foraging, as they may not naturally consume enough grit from their environment.
Feeding Chickens by Life Stage
0-8 Weeks: Baby Chick Phase (Chicken Starter Feed)
Chicken Starter Feed
During the first 8 weeks of a chick's life, it's essential to feed them a specialized chick starter feed. Also known as chicken starter feed, this specially designed formula provides the essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
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Protein Content: 18-20%: This high protein level is vital for building strong muscles, bones, and feathers during their early growth spurt.
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Form: Small Pellets or Crumbles: The small size makes it easy for tiny beaks to consume and digest.
- Why It Matters: Chick starter feed is formulated to meet the high nutritional requirements of rapidly growing chicks. It's typically high in protein (around 18-20%) to support muscle development and feather growth. Chick starter feed also contains essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, for strong bones and overall health.
Types of Starter Feed for Chickens
- Medicated vs. Non-Medicated: Non-medicated chicken starter feed is suitable for chicks that are not at risk of coccidiosis or for those raised organically. Medicated feed contains amprolium, a medication that helps prevent coccidiosis, a common intestinal disease in young chicks (typically between three and six weeks of age).
- Crumbles vs. Mash: Chick starter feed is available in both crumble and mash forms. Crumbles are small, granular pieces that are easy for chicks to pick up and eat. Mash is a finely ground powder that can be mixed with water to create a wet mash, which some chicks may prefer initially.
Chick Feeding Guidelines
- Free-Choice Feeding: Provide chick starter feed to your chicks on a free-choice basis, meaning they have access to it 24/7. This ensures they can eat whenever they're hungry, promoting optimal growth.
- Fresh Water: Always provide fresh, clean water alongside the feed. You may want to add a chick-safe electrolyte or vitamin supplement to the water during the first few days to help them adjust to their new environment.
- Cleanliness: Keep the feed and water containers clean and dry to prevent bacterial contamination.
- *Chick Grit: Baby chicks typically don’t need grit unless they’re eating something besides starter crumbles, like treats or foraging outdoors, since crumbles are usually soft and easy to digest. If chicks are foraging, they may naturally find some grit on their own, but it’s still a good idea to offer chick grit as a supplement to support healthy digestion.
What to Avoid: Skip treats, grains, and scratch feed at this stage. A Chick starter feed provides the precise nutrition they need to thrive.
8-18 Weeks: Grower Phase (Grower Feed)
Chicken Grower Feed
As chicks transition from their baby phase into adolescence, their nutritional needs shift. From 8 to 18 weeks, they require grower feed, designed to support steady growth and prepare their bodies for the egg-laying or adult phase.
- Protein Content: 15-18%: The slightly lower protein level compared to starter feed helps prevent excessive growth spurts, which can lead to leg issues or other health problems. It promotes consistent muscle and bone development.
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Form: Pellets or Crumbles: Larger than chick starter feed, but still easy for growing chickens to eat and digest.
- Why It Matters: Grower feed offers balanced nutrition to support adolescent chickens without promoting excessive weight gain. It contains a moderate protein level, essential vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to strengthen bones and prepare pullets (young hens) for the laying phase.
Types of Grower Feed for Chickens
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Medicated vs. Non-Medicated: Similar to starter feed, grower feed is available in both medicated and non-medicated versions. Medicated feed continues to offer protection against coccidiosis, while non-medicated is ideal for organically raised flocks.
- Pellets vs. Crumbles: Pellets are compact and less likely to be wasted, while crumbles are easier for smaller chickens to eat. Both forms are suitable during this stage.
Grower Feeding Guidelines
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Free-Choice or Scheduled Feeding: Provide grower feed on a free-choice basis or twice daily, ensuring your flock receives consistent nutrition.
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Fresh Water: Maintain a constant supply of clean water, especially in warmer months, to prevent dehydration.
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Cleanliness: Regularly clean feeders and waterers to prevent mold, bacteria, or contamination.
What to Avoid: Hold off on treats or scratch grains until your chickens are closer to maturity. Keep their diet primarily grower feed for optimal health.
18+ Weeks: Layer Phase (Chicken Layer Feed)
Chicken Layer Feed for Laying Hens
As hens enter the egg-laying phase, their nutritional requirements change significantly. At this stage, they require a specialized diet known as layer feed, specifically formulated to support egg production and overall health.
Chickens should be fed layer feed at 18 weeks old or once they lay their first egg—whichever happens first. While most hens start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age (4-5 months), this can vary based on breed and other factors.
Choose a high-quality, complete all-natural or organic layer feed to provide the perfect balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Its key feature to look for? Higher calcium content, which is important to form strong, durable eggshells and for preventing issues like thin or brittle shells. Plus, it supports your flocks bone health, helping replenish the calcium that’s naturally lost through regular egg production.
- Protein Content: 16-18% - While slightly lower than grower feed, this protein level is still sufficient to maintain body weight and support egg production.
- Calcium Content: 3-4% - This higher calcium level is crucial for building strong eggshells and preventing calcium deficiencies in laying hens.
- Form: Pellets or Crumbles - Similar to grower feed, layer feed is available in both pellet and crumble forms, allowing for flexibility based on your hens' preferences. The best option is an all-natural, Non-GMO feed with no synthetic additives.
- Why It Matters: A good, organic layer feed provides the necessary nutrients that laying hens need to produce healthy eggs with strong shells. The increased calcium content is particularly important for preventing soft-shelled eggs and maintaining bone health.
Layer Feeding Guidelines
- Free-Choice Feeding: Offer layer feed to your hens on a free-choice basis, ensuring they have constant access to the nutrients they need for healthy egg production.
- Fresh Water: Always provide a clean and abundant supply of fresh water to keep your hens hydrated and support egg production.
- Supplemental Calcium: While layer feed contains calcium, you should offer additional calcium sources like premium oyster shells or crushed eggshells in a separate dish. This allows hens to self-regulate their calcium intake based on their individual needs.
- Chicken Grit: Provide a separate dish of grit to aid in digestion. Grit helps hens grind their food in their gizzard, improving nutrient absorption.
What to Avoid:
Overfeeding Treats, Scraps, and Supplements – Too many treats (fruits, veggies, or scratch grains) can dilute essential nutrients in layer feed, leading to imbalances.
Low-Quality or Non-Specific Feed – Ensure the feed is specifically formulated for laying chickens, with the right balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Sudden Diet Changes – Gradually transition between feeds to prevent digestive upset or stress.
The Importance of Grit and Oyster Shells
As previously mentioned, chickens don’t have teeth, so they rely on grit—tiny, insoluble stones that help grind up food in their gizzard, aiding healthy digestion. If your flock doesn’t have access to natural grit from free-ranging, it’s essential to provide a commercial source to keep their digestive system functioning properly.
Once hens start laying eggs, they also need an additional calcium source to produce strong eggshells. Premium oyster shells are an excellent supplement, as they provide a slow-release form of calcium that supports eggshell formation and bone health. Unlike grit, oyster shells dissolve over time and shouldn’t be used as a replacement, but rather as an essential add-on for laying hens. Oyster shells should be offered in a separate dish so hens can consume them as needed!
Supplementing Chicken Layer Feed
Many chicken owners follow the 90/10 rule—a common guideline when feeding laying hens. This rule suggests that 90% of a hen's diet should consist of a high-quality, complete layer feed that provides a balanced and nutritious foundation. The remaining 10% can be supplemented with healthy additions such as organic scratch grains, oyster shells, fresh vegetables, herbs, and bugs.
Offering small quantities of a high-quality, organic chicken scratch gives your hens something to scratch and peck at, mimicking natural foraging behavior. This isn’t just fun—it helps reduce boredom, stress, and even bullying within the flock. Just remember that scratch should be treated like dessert: a fun bonus, not a meal replacement.
Chickens love black soldier fly larvae, otherwise known as grub bugs! These are fantastic protein-packed supplements, particularly useful during molting season when hens need more protein to regrow feathers.
You can also introduce fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs as occasional treats. Carrot tops, cabbage, watermelon rinds, pumpkin, zucchini, and herbal blends are all favorites, but be sure to avoid anything salty, sugary, moldy, or toxic (like onions, chocolate, or avocado).
Nourished Chickens Are Happy Chickens
Feeding your chickens properly at every stage of life is key to their health, productivity, and longevity. From protein-rich chick starter to calcium-packed layer feed, the right diet helps your flock stay strong and produce delicious, nutritious eggs.
Prioritize quality and freshness by choosing all-natural chicken feed and supplements. With a good understanding of chicken food, grit, and nutrients, you're all set to raise a happy, healthy flock that rewards you with farm-fresh eggs—and plenty of personality along the way!
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