Chicken Feed
Chicken Feed Guide by Age: Starter, Grower, and Layer
What to feed chicks, pullets, and laying hens at each life stage, plus how to handle mixed-age flocks.
6 min read
Chicken Feed Guides
Feed types, supplements, treats, and how to feed chickens well without overcomplicating it.
Feed is the single biggest lever for healthy chickens and good eggs. Learn which feed to use at each life stage, how much to give, and which treats and supplements actually pay off.
Guides
Latest chicken feed guides
Short, practical, and written for backyard keepers.
What to feed backyard chickens
Feed is the biggest single influence on health, growth, and egg quality. The good news is that it’s also the easiest thing to get right.
The simple version
- Chicks (0–8 weeks):Starter feed, typically 18–20% protein.
- Pullets (8–18 weeks):Grower feed, typically 16–18% protein.
- Laying hens: Layer feed, around 16% protein, with calcium built in.
- Mixed-age flocks: All-flock or flock-raiser feed with free-choice oyster shell on the side.
Treats and scratch should stay under about ten percent of the diet. They’re great for training and bonding, but they dilute the nutrients in your real feed.
Below: deeper guides on specific feed questions, supplements, and how to feed well without overcomplicating it.
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