Chicken Feed Guide by Age: Starter, Grower, and Layer

Chicken feed is the single biggest day-to-day decision in keeping a healthy flock. The good news is the rules are simple once you know them. This guide covers what to feed at each life stage, when to switch, and how to handle mixed-age flocks without overthinking it.

The basic rule

Feed should match life stage. The protein and calcium needs of a four-week-old chick are very different from those of a laying hen, and using the wrong feed can stunt growth, harm developing kidneys, or cause soft eggshells. Match the feed to where each bird is in life and most feed problems disappear.

Chicks (0 to 8 weeks)

Feed: Starter feed. 18 to 20 percent protein. Available medicated or unmedicated.

• Starter feed is the only thing chicks should eat for the first eight weeks.
• Skip scratch and treats during this stage. Chicks need the full nutrient profile.
• If you’re raising meat birds, look for a starter labeled for broilers; it’s higher protein.

Medicated vs. unmedicated: Medicated starter contains amprolium, which helps prevent coccidiosis. If your chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis at the hatchery, use unmedicated. Otherwise medicated is the safer default.

Pullets (8 to 18 weeks)

Feed: Grower feed. 16 to 18 percent protein.

• Grower feed has lower calcium than layer feed. This protects developing kidneys before laying starts.
• Don’t switch to layer feed too early. Pullets fed layer feed before they start laying can develop kidney problems over time.
• Some keepers run starter feed straight through to layer feed, skipping grower. This works if you transition right when the first egg shows up.

Laying hens (18+ weeks)

Feed: Layer feed. About 16 percent protein with added calcium (3.5 to 4.5 percent).

• Switch to layer feed when you see your first egg, or right at the 18 to 20 week mark for breeds that lay later.
• Layer feed has the calcium hens need for shell production. Without it, hens will pull calcium from their bones.
• Provide free-choice oyster shell separately. Some hens need more calcium than what’s in the feed.

Mixed-age flocks

Feed: All-flock or flock-raiser feed. Around 16 to 18 percent protein.

• All-flock is safe for chicks, pullets, laying hens, and roosters eating together.
• All-flock does NOT have enough calcium for laying hens by itself. Always add free-choice oyster shell on the side.
• This is the simplest approach if you keep adding new birds at different ages. One bag, one feeder, plus a small dish of oyster shell for the laying hens.

Treats, grit, and oyster shell

Treats: Limit treats and scratch to about 10 percent of the daily diet. The rest should be balanced feed. Mealworms, garden scraps, and greens like kale are good. Avoid avocado, raw potato peels, and chocolate.

Grit: Small stones that help chickens grind food in their gizzard. Any chicken eating anything besides commercial feed needs access to grit. Free-range birds usually find their own; confined birds need a small dish of poultry grit.

Oyster shell:Calcium supplement specifically for laying hens. Provided free-choice in a separate dish. Chicks and roosters don’t need it. Grit and oyster shell are not interchangeable.

Common mistakes

• Feeding layer feed to chicks (too much calcium for kidneys)
• Feeding starter feed to laying hens (not enough calcium for shells)
• No oyster shell when using all-flock feed
• Letting treats creep over 10 percent of diet (dilutes nutrition)
• Not providing grit to confined birds eating scratch or treats

FAQ

Can I just feed all-flock all the time?
Yes, with one important add-on: free-choice oyster shell for laying hens. All-flock plus oyster shell is the simplest one-size-fits-all setup.

When exactly do I switch to layer feed?
When you see your first egg, or at 18 to 20 weeks if you’re past the typical start date for your breed. The transition can be gradual or sudden; chickens handle it fine either way.

How much feed does a hen eat per day?
About a quarter pound (roughly half a cup) of feed per day per laying hen. A 50-pound bag lasts six hens about a month.

Match feed to life stage, keep treats under ten percent of the diet, and provide free-choice oyster shell to laying hens. That’s the whole game. The free Chicken Homestead checklist (coming soon) includes a feed transition timeline you can print and pin to the coop. Sign up on the homepageif you want it when it’s ready.