Feed for Chickens – From Chick to Hen
Figuring out the right feed for chickens can feel like a lot, especially with so many choices out there. But don’t stress—once you know the basics, you will feel more confident at the store. We’ll help you pick the best feed for every stage, from chicks to laying hens, and even roosters, so your flock gets exactly what they need.
Raising chickens that are healthy and thriving begins from day one and yes, what you feed them, really does matter.
I still remember the day we brought our first baby chicks home. They were just a few days old, so tiny and fragile, and I was so nervous about doing something wrong that might harm them. Thankfully, the online store where I got them was super supportive. They walked me through what to feed my chicks, when to feed it, and—most importantly—why. Understanding the “why” made all the difference.
Once I knew what each ingredient did and why it mattered at every stage, I felt so much more confident choosing the best feed for our growing flock.
Breaking Down Chicken Feed Ingredients
When it comes to chicken feed, understanding the ingredients can make all the difference in choosing the right one for your flock. Here’s a quick breakdown of the essentials and why they’re important for your chickens at every stage of life:
- Protein: This is the building block for growth, especially for chicks. Protein helps with muscle and feather development. Starter feeds for chicks usually have higher protein levels, while adult chickens, like layers or roosters, need lower amounts.
- Calcium: Essential for laying hens, calcium ensures sturdy eggshells. You’ll often find it included as limestone or oyster shell in layer feeds. For non-laying chickens, you can ease up on the calcium.
- Grains (like corn, wheat, or soy): These provide the energy chickens need to stay active. Think of grains as the carbs that fuel their busy scratching and pecking.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Just like us, chickens need a range of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. These support everything from their immune system to digestion.
- Fats: A small amount of fat is included for energy and to help them absorb certain vitamins. Plus, it adds a bit of shine to their feathers!
- Fiber: Found in ingredients like wheat middlings, fiber keeps their digestion running smoothly. Chickens aren’t big fans of too much fiber, though, so it’s added in moderation.
By understanding these basics, you’ll be able to pick a feed that’s perfectly suited to your flock’s needs, whether you’ve got chicks just starting out or hens in the middle of their egg-laying prime. Always check the label, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if something isn’t clear.
Feed for Chickens – From Chick to Hen
As chickens grow, their nutritional needs change, and understanding what they require at each stage of life will help you choose the best feed for them.
Feeding Baby Chicks
When your chicks first arrive, they’re incredibly delicate, so the right feed is important. Look for a starter feed specially formulated for chicks. These feeds usually contain around 18-20% protein, which is crucial for rapid growth and healthy feather development.
Key Ingredients for Chicks
- Protein: The most important ingredient for building muscle and feathers.
- A balanced mix of vitamins and minerals: This supports immune health and overall growth.
- Medicated option (optional): If you’re worried about coccidiosis, a common disease in chicks, a medicated feed may help protect them.
Purina Start and Grow | Non-Medicated Chick Feed Crumbles | Nutritionally Complete – 25 Pound (25 lb.) Bag
Mile Four Organic Chicken Feed – Starter Chick Whole Grain, Non-GMO, USA Grown, 21% Protein, Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-Medicated Chick Feed, 23 lbsManna Pro Chick Starter Food, Non-Medicated Chick Feed, Chick Supplies, Duck Food 5 lbs
What to Avoid
- High calcium: Chicks don’t need much calcium yet. Too much can cause kidney damage at this early stage.
- Treats too early: For the first few weeks, chicks should stick to their starter feed so they get all the nutrients they need.
Treats for Chicks
Once your chicks hit the 1-2 week mark, you can start introducing occasional treats like:
- Cooked egg yolks: Packed with protein and easy to digest.
- Chopped leafy greens: Give them in small amounts and supervise to make sure they’re eating safely.
- Mealworms (in moderation): A fun, protein-rich treat.
Just make sure treats don’t make up more than 10% of their diet, and always provide chick grit if you’re offering anything other than their starter feed. Chicks don’t have teeth, so grit helps them break down food in their digestion process.
Free-Ranging Chicks
Along with their starter feed, it’s great to let your chicks explore and forage for grass, bugs, and worms. It helps them build their natural foraging instincts and adds some variety to their diet. Just be sure to keep an eye on them while they’re out and about to make sure they don’t nibble on anything harmful or stray too far from the safety of their coop.
Feeding Pullets and Young Hens
As your chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens) around 6-8 weeks of age, it’s time to transition to a grower feed. These feeds typically have 16-18% protein, which supports steady growth as they prepare for adulthood but without overwhelming their developing bodies.
Key Ingredients for Growers
- Protein (slightly reduced): Still needed, but pullets no longer require the higher amounts they did as chicks.
- Balanced vitamins and minerals: Keeps them healthy as they grow.
- Lower calcium levels: Pullets don’t need extra calcium until they start producing eggs.
What to Avoid
- Layer feed at this point. Layer feeds contain extra calcium for egg production, which pullets don’t need just yet.
Treats for Growing Chickens
Offering treats to your growing pullets is not only a fun way to interact with them, but it’s also a great way to add variety to their diet. Pullets will enjoy the same treats as chicks, but now you can branch out a little more:
- Fruit scraps: Small pieces of apple, berries, or bananas (avoid citrus or avocado).
- Vegetables: Cucumbers, zucchini, and leafy greens are great options.
- Pumpkin seeds: A natural dewormer and a fun snack.
Treats should complement their main feed and not replace the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.
Free-Ranging
If you’ve got the space and a safe yard, letting your growing chickens free-range can be a great option. It gives them a chance to forage, stretch their legs, and even helps cut down on feed costs. Just make sure to keep a close eye on their surroundings and have measures in place to protect them from predators.
Feeding Laying Hens
Once your pullets start laying eggs (typically around 16-20 weeks), it’s time to switch to a layer feed. Layer feeds contain around 16% protein and are specially designed for egg production, with added calcium for strong shells.
Key Ingredients for Layers
- Calcium: Essential for sturdy eggshells. You can also supplement with crushed oyster shells if needed.
- Protein: Keeps hens healthy and supports consistent laying.
- Omega-3 enriched options: Some layer feeds include extra omega-3s, which result in eggs that are higher in omega-3s for you.
What to Avoid
- Low-quality feeds that list fillers like “animal byproducts” or artificial additives. Keep it simple and wholesome.
Treats for Laying Hens
Laying hens love variety in their diet, and treats are a great way to make their day extra special. Plus, many leftovers from your kitchen can become a delicious and nutritious bonus for your flock.
- Vegetables: Chickens enjoy many vegetables, including tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, cucumbers, carrots, and zucchini. Feel free to share your kitchen scraps, but avoid anything overly salty or seasoned.
- Fruits: Sweet and hydrating, fruits like apples (seed-free), berries, melons, and bananas are flock favorites. Serve them in moderation to avoid overloading them with sugar.
- Leafy Greens: Kale, cabbage, spinach, and broccoli are fantastic options. You can hang the greens in the coop to keep your hens entertained as they peck away.
- High-Protein Snacks: Mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, and cooked fish provide a boost of protein, especially during molting season when hens need extra nutrients for feather regrowth.
While treats are fun and beneficial, they should only make up about 10% of your flock’s overall diet.
Go one step further and grow a chicken garden filled with all the foods that chickens love. This will save on feed costs while giving healthy options to your flock.
Free Ranging
Hens absolutely love foraging. If you can, let them roam freely in a safe area where they can scratch around for bugs, seeds, and grasses. It keeps them busy and active and lets them enjoy the kind of natural treats they find in nature.
If you want to give your flock freedom but still want them somewhat contained, you can use a chicken tractor or set up a temporary chicken run.
What Should You Feed Roosters?
Even though roosters don’t lay eggs, they’re still an important part of the flock. Since their dietary needs are a bit different from laying hens, it’s a good idea to offer a separate feed tailored to the boys who keep your flock safe and sound.
Best Feed for Roosters
Roosters do well on a maintenance feed or an all-flock feed designed for adult chickens. These feeds typically have about 14-16% protein, which is just the right amount for maintaining their energy levels and muscle mass. Unlike layer feed, these options keep calcium levels lower to prevent long-term health issues like kidney damage.
If you’re feeding an all-flock blend, you can supplement your hens with a calcium source, like crushed oyster shells, but roosters tend to avoid excess calcium naturally when provided with options.
Key Ingredients to Look For
- Balanced protein: Supports muscle and feather health without overloading their system.
- Vitamins and minerals: Keeps their immune system strong and supports overall health.
- Low calcium levels: Roosters don’t need the extra calcium found in layer feed.
- Grains (corn, oats, wheat): Provide them with the energy they need to stay engaged and active.
Treats for Roosters
Roosters, like the rest of your flock, enjoy treats and will eat whatever you feed to the hens.
- Fruits and veggies: Watermelon, cucumbers, squash, or greens are healthy and hydrating.
- Protein-packed snacks: Mealworms, scrambled eggs, or sunflower seeds are great options, especially during molting for feather regrowth.
- Whole grains: Uncooked oats, cracked corn, or barley are fun foraging treats that also provide energy.
Just like with hens, treats should only make up about 10% of their diet to ensure they’re getting everything they need from their main feed.
Keeping Roosters Healthy
Here’s how to make sure your rooster stays in top shape:
- Healthy weight: Roosters should look lean and muscular, not overweight or sluggish.
- Bright comb and wattles: A vibrant red color indicates good health and blood circulation.
- Energy and behavior: Healthy roosters are active, alert, and protective of their flock.
If your rooster seems lethargic, has dull feathers, or shows any signs of weight issues, it might be time to reassess their diet or consult with a vet to rule out other health concerns.
The Importance of Water for Chickens
Water is a big deal for chickens, no matter their age. It keeps them hydrated, helps with digestion, regulates their body temperature, and even supports egg production for layers. Without fresh, clean water, chickens can get dehydrated fast, which can lead to some serious health issues.
- Change It Daily: Stagnant water is a magnet for bacteria and algae, so make sure to refill their waterers with fresh water every day.
- Keep It Cool in the Heat: Chickens can overheat quickly, so cool water is a must in summer. Toss in some ice cubes on those extra hot days!
- Scrub the Waterer: A dirty waterer is a germ factory. Give it a good scrub regularly to keep things clean.
- Watch for Freezing in Winter: When it’s cold, check that their water isn’t frozen. Heated waterers can be a game-changer in freezing weather.
- Raise It Up: Keep waterers off the ground at chest height for your chickens. This helps keep dirt and bedding out of their water.
Farm Tuff Durable Top Fill Hanging Plastic Automatic Poultry and Game Bird Fountain Waterer for Chickens, 5 Gallon CapacityFARM-TUFF Double Wall Cone Top Galvanized Metal Automatic Poultry Fountain Waterer for Chickens, 2 Gallon CapacityFloat-Controlled Automatic Chicken Waterer, Red Chicken Waterer with 4 Water Cups 13Ft Hose, Poultry Water Feeder for Duck, Quail, Geese, Chicken Supplies (2 Gallons, Red)
Pay attention to how much water your chickens are drinking—if they’re not drinking as much as usual, it could be a sign something’s off. Fresh, clean water might seem simple, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your flock.
How to Know the Feed is Working
Wondering if your feed is hitting the mark? Here are a few telltale signs that your chickens are thriving:
- Healthy Weight: They should feel well-fed—not too skinny, not too chubby.
- Bright Eyes and Shiny Feathers: A balanced diet will show in their glossy feathers and alert eyes.
- Activity Levels: Happy chickens are busy chickens—always curious and on the move.
- Quality of Eggs: For layers, look for strong shells and those rich, golden yolks as signs of good nutrition.
On the flip side, watch for warning signs like soft or misshapen eggs, low energy, or scruffy feathers—these might mean it’s time to adjust their diet. And don’t forget, fresh water is just as crucial as quality feed.
Feeding chickens doesn’t have to be complicated when you understand the basics. Start with a high-quality starter feed, transition to grower feed as they age, and switch to layer feed when they start producing eggs. Along the way, offer appropriate and healthy treats and keep an eye on how your flock is doing.
With the right nutrition and this guide on feed for chickens, your flock will grow up healthy and happy, providing you with a coop of fresh eggs you can enjoy every day.
