Feeding chickens well is refreshingly simple: give them the right complete feed for their age, provide a few supplements, and keep the treats in check. Here’s the whole picture.
Match the feed to the age
Commercial feeds are formulated for each life stage — using the right one is the single most important nutritional decision.
- Starter feed (0–8 weeks): high protein (~18–20%) for fast early growth. Comes medicated or unmedicated.
- Grower feed (8–18 weeks): slightly lower protein for steady development; crucially not high in calcium, which can harm growing birds.
- Layer feed (~18 weeks / point of lay): ~16% protein with added calcium for shell production. Only switch to it once hens are laying.
An all-flock / flock-raiser feed is a flexible option for mixed-age flocks — feed that to everyone and offer calcium separately.
The supplements that matter
- Grit: small stones the gizzard uses to grind food. Essential for any bird eating treats, scraps, or forage. Offer it free-choice.
- Calcium: crushed oyster shell in a separate dish lets layers self-regulate for strong shells.
- Water: clean, fresh water at all times — it’s the most overlooked “feed” and the biggest driver of laying. In winter, keep it from freezing.
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The 90/10 rule
Aim for about 90% complete feed and no more than 10% treats and scraps. It’s tempting to over-treat, but too many extras unbalance their nutrition and reduce laying. For exactly which treats are healthy — and which foods are dangerous — see what chickens can and can’t eat.
Get the feed-by-age basics right, keep grit and calcium available, and never let the water run dry — that covers 95% of chicken nutrition.
Common questions
- What should I feed my chickens?
- A complete, age-appropriate feed as the foundation: starter for chicks (0–8 weeks), grower for adolescents (8–18 weeks), and layer feed once hens begin laying (~18 weeks). Treats and scraps should make up no more than about 10% of the diet.
- Do chickens need grit?
- Yes, if they eat anything other than commercial feed. Chickens have no teeth — grit (small hard stones) sits in the gizzard and grinds food. Birds that free-range may pick up enough naturally; those that eat treats or forage should have grit available.
- Why do laying hens need extra calcium?
- Eggshells are almost pure calcium, so layers have high demand. Layer feed includes calcium, but offering crushed oyster shell separately lets hens top up as needed and prevents thin or brittle shells.