What to Feed Your Chickens: A Complete Guide to Poultry Feed
Feed is the single biggest ongoing decision you'll make as a flock owner. Get it right and your hens will be healthy, productive, and consistent layers. Get it wrong and you'll see it in your egg production, shell quality, and flock health. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Feed by Life Stage
Chickens have different nutritional needs at every stage of life. Using the wrong feed at the wrong time is one of the most common mistakes new flock owners make.
Starter Feed (Hatch to 8 Weeks)
Starter feed is formulated for baby chicks. It's high in protein — typically 18–20% — to support rapid feather development and growth. It contains little to no calcium, which is intentional. High calcium before a pullet's kidneys are mature can cause permanent damage.
Key point: Do not feed layer feed to chicks. The calcium content is harmful to young birds.
Grower Feed (8 Weeks to First Egg)
As pullets grow, their protein needs decrease slightly and their bodies begin preparing for egg production. Grower feed bridges this gap — typically 16–18% protein with minimal calcium. Keep pullets on grower until you see the first signs of laying: reddening combs, squatting behavior, and interest in nesting boxes.
Layer Feed (Point of Lay Onward)
Layer feed is formulated specifically for hens that are actively producing eggs. It contains:
- 15–17% protein — enough to maintain body condition and support egg production
- 3–4% calcium — essential for strong eggshells
- Balanced vitamins and minerals — including Vitamin D3 for calcium absorption
Switch to layer feed when your pullets begin laying — not before. If you have birds at mixed stages, feed all-flock feed and offer oyster shell on the side so laying hens can self-regulate their calcium.
🥚 For consistent egg production, layer feed should always be the foundation of your hens' diet.
Scratch grains, treats, and kitchen scraps should make up no more than 10% of daily intake. Overfeeding treats is the #1 cause of reduced egg production in backyard flocks.
Feed Forms: Crumble, Pellet, or Mash?
The same feed can come in different physical forms. The nutrition is similar — the difference is in how it's delivered and how much waste you'll deal with.
- Crumble — Small, broken pieces. Easier for younger birds to eat. Can result in more waste if birds scatter it.
- Pellets — Compressed, uniform cylinders. Less waste, preferred by most mature hens. The most popular choice for laying flocks.
- Mash — Loose, ground feed. Can be fed dry or fermented. More labor-intensive but highly digestible.
Our recommendation: Pellets for mature laying hens. Crumble for pullets transitioning from starter.
Conventional, Non-GMO, or Organic Feed?
This is the question we get asked most often. Here's an honest breakdown of each option.
Conventional Feed
Conventional poultry feed meets AAFCO nutritional standards and is the most widely available option at farm stores. It may contain GMO grains (primarily corn and soy) and is produced using standard agricultural practices.
- Cost: Lowest — typically $18–$28 per 50 lb bag depending on region
- Availability: Highest — available at most farm and feed stores
- Best for: Flock owners focused on nutrition and cost efficiency; eggs sold for personal use or at farm stands without a premium positioning
Non-GMO Feed
Non-GMO feed is made without genetically modified ingredients. The grains are sourced from non-GMO certified suppliers, but the farming practices may still include synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Non-GMO is not the same as organic.
- Cost: Moderate — typically 20–40% more than conventional
- Availability: Growing — available at many farm stores and online
- Best for: Flock owners who want cleaner inputs without the full cost of organic; eggs marketed as non-GMO at farmers markets or to health-conscious buyers
Organic Feed
Certified organic feed is produced without GMOs, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or prohibited substances throughout the entire supply chain. To label your eggs as "organic" and sell them as such, USDA regulations require that your hens be fed certified organic feed.
- Cost: Highest — typically 50–80% more than conventional
- Availability: More limited — specialty farm stores, co-ops, and online suppliers
- Best for: Flock owners selling certified organic eggs; those who want the highest standard of inputs for their birds and their customers
Bottom line: All three options can produce healthy, productive laying hens. Your choice comes down to your budget, your market, and your values. A hen on quality conventional layer feed will outperform a hen on poor-quality organic feed every time — the feed type matters less than the feed quality and consistency.
Supplements Worth Considering
Oyster Shell
Offer free-choice in a separate dish at all times once hens begin laying. Laying hens will self-regulate — they eat what they need for strong shells and ignore the rest. If you're seeing thin or soft shells, increase oyster shell availability before changing anything else.
Grit
Chickens don't have teeth — they use grit (small stones) in their gizzard to grind food. Hens that free range will find their own grit. Confined hens should have insoluble grit offered free-choice.
Probiotics & Fermented Feed
Fermented feed is regular feed soaked in water for 2–3 days until it develops beneficial bacteria. It increases nutrient bioavailability, supports gut health, and can reduce feed consumption by up to 20% since fermented feed is more digestible. It takes planning but is one of the highest-value things you can do for your flock's health.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)
One of the best protein supplements available. High in protein, amino acids, and fat. Great during molt when hens need extra protein for feather regrowth. Feed in moderation — a small handful per bird a few times a week is plenty.
What We Feed Our Pullets at Stafford Hill Farms
Our Golden Comet pullets are raised on a high-quality grower ration and transitioned to layer feed before they leave the farm. By the time they arrive at your home, they're already on the right feed for where they are in their development — no guesswork on your end.
We're always happy to answer questions about feed, nutrition, or flock management. Reach out anytime.