Need a comprehensive guide to the best chicken feed for all life stages? Chicks, hens, and roosters need different nutrients, and feeding them incorrectly can have disastrous consequences.
We know that laying hens need more calcium in their feed than hens that are not laying, but how much more? Chickens need different feeds at different times in their lives and also depending on their sex, but what do you do if you have a mixed flock? How important is it that your chickens get the right ratio of nutrients in their feed?
When your baby chicks are under eight weeks old, they need a starter feed. This starter feed has a higher protein content than any other chicken feed mix. Depending on the variety and often the region you live in, it contains 18-22% protein by weight. This feed is also low in calcium because excess calcium can cause deformities in the growing bones of the chicks and damage the kidneys, even leading to the death of the chicks.
Young growing chicks are so sensitive to the amount of calcium in their diet that, in an emergency, it's better to feed them powdered meal or ground oat and cornmeal than to feed layer rations even one day. The high protein content of chick starter feed is essential for the growth of healthy feathers because feathers are made of protein. Chick feed is also ground into much smaller pieces than feed for adult chickens so it's easier for the chicks to digest.
The quality and balance of the diet at a young age will affect the quality of the eggs they'll lay later.
Brittle and broken feathers can also indicate an increased need for calcium. The older your chickens get, the more calcium they need in their diet. You can give chickens calcium supplements by feeding oyster shells, limestone, fish meal, or soluble calcium grit. A cost-saving method is to recycle eggshells. Wash and dry eggshells thoroughly, then crush them so they're no longer recognizable to chickens. That way you won't give them the idea of eating their eggs.
Calcium supplementation in this form is a great way to get calcium to your laying hens if you have a mixed flock because they eat what they need. Protein requirements are 16-18%.
Roosters don't need extra calcium or even as much protein as laying hens, only 9%. If you're able to feed them separately, you can mix your regular feed with some scratch grains to lower the total protein content for your roosters. If you need to feed separate feeds for chickens housed together, you can choose to feed the feed at specific times of the day with individual bowls per chicken.
This is possible with a smaller flock, but not as feasible with a large flock.
Your roosters could also use some extra protein during mating season. Overwintering chickens, on the other hand, need a larger amount of carbohydrates to provide energy for warmth.
Another way to add a little extra protein is to give your chickens some milk in addition to their regular feed. You can easily increase the amount of carbohydrates by adding a small amount of scratch grains to the feed. In the winter, chicken scratch may be best to feed just before they go to roost for the night as it will give them some extra energy for warmth.
Chickens fed on pasture may not get the phosphorus they need because they don't get to eat as many insects. They need to consume it in a separate feeder. If your chickens are free-range, you may need salt, even if it's intermittent. Chickens fed only commercial feeds don't need these supplements because the feed is carefully balanced. All supplemental feeds should be fed in separate trays or hoppers and should be available at all times.
The type of poultry feed you feed can affect growth rate, egg-laying, health, and appearance. When choosing the best chicken feed, you should carefully consider the age of your chickens and their intended use.
This parasite can cause bloody diarrhea and sometimes even kill chicks. Chickens develop a natural resistance to coccidia over time as their immune systems mature, but it's important to protect against it when chicks are young.
Chick starter is usually fed for the first 4-6 weeks before switching to a grower feed. It's important not to feed chick starter for too long, as the high protein content can cause liver damage. This type of chicken feed usually comes in the form of crumbles and may look like sand or soil. The fine texture of the feed makes it easier for the chicks to gobble up and digest.
This allows the chicks to continue to grow into pullets or cockerels without putting too much stress on their livers. Grower feed isn't fortified with medications like chick starter feed, so it's important that you feed any antibiotics or medications your chickens may need.
This chicken feed usually comes in the form of pellets, which are larger and denser than the crumbles of chick starter. Some chicks have difficulty adjusting to eating pellets. In this case, you can try breaking the pellets into smaller pieces that are still larger than the crumbles.
Let your pullets eat the smaller pieces for a few days and then try switching them to the full-size pellets. It may also be helpful to feed a mixture of chick starter and grower feed until they get used to the new food.
Grower feed should be fed until the hens lay their first eggs, which is usually at about 20 weeks of age. However, the feeding stages of broilers are different, which we'll discuss later.
If you're raising a flock for companionship, pest control, natural mowing, or other non-specialty reasons, flock raiser is the feed to use. You can also use this feed if you have a mixed flock with roosters, ducks, or other birds or birds of different ages.
However, these eggs are prone to a variety of problems. These problems can include thin shells, small eggs, misshapen or crooked eggs, eggs with wrinkled shells, and eggs without yolks.
This chicken feed not only contains more calcium but also about 16% protein and vitamins important for laying hens. However, the high calcium content in layer formula can be dangerous for birds that do not produce eggs. It can cause liver damage to chicks, roosters, older hens, and any other birds you keep in a mixed flock.
If you expect your layers to produce the best eggs possible, a good layer feed is not optional. There are also options available such as feed fortified with prebiotics, probiotics, and minerals like Omega-3 fatty acids as well as folic acid while some may contain marigold for beautiful bright-orange egg yolks. You should consider separating the layers from the rest of the flock if you are concerned about non-laying birds eating this feed.
Most chicken feed for broilers has an incredibly high protein content, usually around 25%. This allows them to grow quickly and build lots of muscle, which translates into high meat yields.
The rapid growth and high protein content can put stress on the chicken's heart, organs, and even legs. Many broiler chickens grow so fast that they cannot move well.
Still, the health of these birds is important because you want them to reach a good slaughter age and produce high-quality meat. Some farmers feed broiler chicks general broiler feed because it has the same protein content as the chick starter. However, this is not a good idea because this feed won't be medicated to protect against parasites.
Chick starter should continue to be fed to broiler chicks until they are about 4 weeks old. Thereafter they can switch to broiler feed. Although the protein content is similar, this feed contains other vitamins and minerals that adult broiler chickens need during their growth.
The best chicken feed for show birds is usually a high-quality, expensive feed that contains special ingredients. These ingredients often include black-oil sunflower seeds, organic vegetables such as peas and alfalfa, and even cricket meal. Exhibition birds do not usually forage, as this would increase their risk of injury.
Therefore, their feed must contain a variety of ingredients similar to what they would normally find in the wild. Game bird feed also contains a number of additional minerals and vitamins that support esthetic qualities. These include things like the thickness and color of the feathers, the shape of the comb and wattles, and the shape, size, and height of the bird.
Game chicken feed is occasionally fed to older birds or birds in poor health, especially in winter. The higher quality of the feed and the special ingredients can revive weakening chickens. However, due to the high cost, you should not use this feed as the standard feed for the entire flock.
Most chickens are good at not eating extra calcium if it is not needed, so portion size is not important. Grit is also important for all chickens - not just layers - because it aids in digestion. Grit is stored in the chicken's gizzard and assists break down food.
When chickens are free-range or allowed to roam freely, they usually find the grit they need in nature. Chickens kept in an enclosure should be fed grit. You can do this naturally by grinding up some eggshells in the chicken feed. You can also purchase commercial grit, which is either soluble or insoluble.
Soluble grit is usually made from finely ground oyster shells, cockle shells, and/or limestone. Insoluble grit is usually made from ground granite or flint. Commercial grit often also contains charcoal, which provides additional digestive support.
You should always purchase the correct grit size for your chickens. Grit that is very fine will pass right through their system and not get caught in the gizzard where it is required.
You can buy pre-mixed bags of scratch at the store, although bags with more sunflower seeds and milo seeds are more expensive. You can also make your own mixture to save money.
Since scratch is not as nutritious as regular chicken feed, it should not make up more than 10% of your flock's diet. That means if you regularly give your chickens a half cup of chicken feed, you should give them about 2 1/2 teaspoons of scratch. Scratch is not necessary for chicken nutrition, but it can help keep them healthy.
It is also useful for encouraging them to come indoors at night and for positive associations. This can be useful when they have to experience things they do not like, such as delousing. It can also help them get used to your presence by associating you with their favorite food. If you are interested in learning more about scratch feed for chickens, please read our article here.
This is because fermentation breaks the bonds that hold the proteins and nutrients in the grain, making it easier to digest. This also allows the chickens to absorb more nutrients per cup of feed, which means you have to buy less feed overall.
Fermenting feed is a fairly simple process. All you need is a large container with a lid, your regular feed, and water. Fill the bucket halfway with seed and then add dechlorinated water. The water should be a few inches above the seeds. Close the lid and let the mixture sit for 3 to 5 days. Stir the mixture once a day and add water as needed to keep the seeds constantly covered. Once you see bubbles in the water, the feed is ready. Strain the feed and give it to your chickens while it is still wet.
If you are interested in learning more about fermented feed for chickens, please read our article here.
However, some farmers also feed mash to adult chickens. Some chickens prefer mash and eat better when their feed is in this form. Mash is also a good way to give chickens a warm meal during winter.
Mash can be given in dry form, but most prefer to mix it with water. After mixing, it should have a mud-like consistency. Because of its high moisture content, prepared mash that is not consumed immediately will go bad in a very short time. Never try to store prepared mash and clean up the leftovers in your coop.
An unbalanced diet can affect chickens' laying performance or cause them to gain weight unnecessarily. Extra fat can make it difficult for your chickens to lay, and nutrient deficiencies can cause egg problems. Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to problems such as feather pecking, egg-eating, and cannibalism. So it is extremely important that we match our chickens' diets to their needs.
Additionally, you can supplement your chickens' diet with table scraps, but only sparingly as such treats should only make up 10% of their diet. Well-known chicken feed brands include Purina, Manna Pro, and Small Pet Select all with their own varieties such as non-GMO feed and soy-free options. Consider all of these factors when choosing the best chicken feed for your flock. By following the suggestions in this chicken feeding guide, you can help your chickens stay healthy and continue to lay well.
We know that laying hens need more calcium in their feed than hens that are not laying, but how much more? Chickens need different feeds at different times in their lives and also depending on their sex, but what do you do if you have a mixed flock? How important is it that your chickens get the right ratio of nutrients in their feed?
Feeding baby chicks
When your baby chicks are under eight weeks old, they need a starter feed. This starter feed has a higher protein content than any other chicken feed mix. Depending on the variety and often the region you live in, it contains 18-22% protein by weight. This feed is also low in calcium because excess calcium can cause deformities in the growing bones of the chicks and damage the kidneys, even leading to the death of the chicks.
Young growing chicks are so sensitive to the amount of calcium in their diet that, in an emergency, it's better to feed them powdered meal or ground oat and cornmeal than to feed layer rations even one day. The high protein content of chick starter feed is essential for the growth of healthy feathers because feathers are made of protein. Chick feed is also ground into much smaller pieces than feed for adult chickens so it's easier for the chicks to digest.
What growing chickens need
Once your chickens are eight weeks old but not yet laying, they need grower feed. Grower feed for chickens contains less protein, but still lacks the extra calcium needed for egg formation. The protein content of grower feed is normally 14-18%. Most chickens need this feed until 20-22 weeks of age when they're ready to lay their first egg. Some larger breeds that start laying earlier need to be switched as early as 18 weeks of age.The quality and balance of the diet at a young age will affect the quality of the eggs they'll lay later.
What laying hens need
Once a hen reaches laying age, she needs adequate calcium in her diet, usually 2.5-3.5%. If she doesn't get enough calcium, she'll draw the calcium for laying eggs from her own bones, weakening them. Low calcium results in eggs with thin, brittle shells that may even break inside your hen when she tries to lay the egg. This usually leads to the death of the hen, as she can no longer lay the egg.Brittle and broken feathers can also indicate an increased need for calcium. The older your chickens get, the more calcium they need in their diet. You can give chickens calcium supplements by feeding oyster shells, limestone, fish meal, or soluble calcium grit. A cost-saving method is to recycle eggshells. Wash and dry eggshells thoroughly, then crush them so they're no longer recognizable to chickens. That way you won't give them the idea of eating their eggs.
Calcium supplementation in this form is a great way to get calcium to your laying hens if you have a mixed flock because they eat what they need. Protein requirements are 16-18%.
What roosters need
Roosters don't need extra calcium or even as much protein as laying hens, only 9%. If you're able to feed them separately, you can mix your regular feed with some scratch grains to lower the total protein content for your roosters. If you need to feed separate feeds for chickens housed together, you can choose to feed the feed at specific times of the day with individual bowls per chicken.
This is possible with a smaller flock, but not as feasible with a large flock.
When to change feed rations
There are certain times when you need to adjust the feed you give your chickens, such as giving extra calcium to older layers. Also, chickens need a little more protein in the summer because they generally eat less because of the heat. They also need a little more protein whenever they molt because the new feathers require a lot of protein.Your roosters could also use some extra protein during mating season. Overwintering chickens, on the other hand, need a larger amount of carbohydrates to provide energy for warmth.
Another way to add a little extra protein is to give your chickens some milk in addition to their regular feed. You can easily increase the amount of carbohydrates by adding a small amount of scratch grains to the feed. In the winter, chicken scratch may be best to feed just before they go to roost for the night as it will give them some extra energy for warmth.
Supplements
In addition to calcium, you should also feed grit, phosphorus or salt separately. Whether you need grit depends on whether your chickens have time on pasture and what kind of feed you give them. If the chickens spend a lot of time in the pasture, they'll consume the grit themselves and you won't need to give it in addition. If they don't spend much time outside the coop, but you give them grains like corn for chickens (cracked or whole) or seeds, they need the grit to aid in their digestion.Chickens fed on pasture may not get the phosphorus they need because they don't get to eat as many insects. They need to consume it in a separate feeder. If your chickens are free-range, you may need salt, even if it's intermittent. Chickens fed only commercial feeds don't need these supplements because the feed is carefully balanced. All supplemental feeds should be fed in separate trays or hoppers and should be available at all times.
The type of poultry feed you feed can affect growth rate, egg-laying, health, and appearance. When choosing the best chicken feed, you should carefully consider the age of your chickens and their intended use.
Ten different types of chicken feed
Below we take a look at 10 different types of chicken feed and when they should be used.1. Chick Starter
As the name suggests, a chick starter is fed to newly hatched chicks. This chicken feed has a high protein content, usually around 20% - 25%. Chicks need this extra protein to grow fast and strong, while also giving them energy.. Chick starter is usually medicated to prevent a parasite called coccidia which leads to coccidiosis.This parasite can cause bloody diarrhea and sometimes even kill chicks. Chickens develop a natural resistance to coccidia over time as their immune systems mature, but it's important to protect against it when chicks are young.
Chick starter is usually fed for the first 4-6 weeks before switching to a grower feed. It's important not to feed chick starter for too long, as the high protein content can cause liver damage. This type of chicken feed usually comes in the form of crumbles and may look like sand or soil. The fine texture of the feed makes it easier for the chicks to gobble up and digest.
2. Grower Feed
Grower feed is the next level of chicken nutrition. It contains less protein than chick starter feed - usually about 18% - but still has more protein than adult chicken feed.This allows the chicks to continue to grow into pullets or cockerels without putting too much stress on their livers. Grower feed isn't fortified with medications like chick starter feed, so it's important that you feed any antibiotics or medications your chickens may need.
This chicken feed usually comes in the form of pellets, which are larger and denser than the crumbles of chick starter. Some chicks have difficulty adjusting to eating pellets. In this case, you can try breaking the pellets into smaller pieces that are still larger than the crumbles.
Let your pullets eat the smaller pieces for a few days and then try switching them to the full-size pellets. It may also be helpful to feed a mixture of chick starter and grower feed until they get used to the new food.
Grower feed should be fed until the hens lay their first eggs, which is usually at about 20 weeks of age. However, the feeding stages of broilers are different, which we'll discuss later.
3. Flock Raiser
Flock Raiser is a general feed that meets basic nutritional needs. This type of chicken feed is typically used when you aren't raising chickens for a specific purpose. Laying hens, broilers, and show chickens should be fed special feeds when they're full grown. In the next sections, we'll take a closer look at these types of feed.If you're raising a flock for companionship, pest control, natural mowing, or other non-specialty reasons, flock raiser is the feed to use. You can also use this feed if you have a mixed flock with roosters, ducks, or other birds or birds of different ages.
4. Layer Feed
Chicken layer feed should be fed to hens that produce eggs after they have laid their first egg. This particular type of chicken feed contains higher levels of calcium, which makes for better and stronger eggs. It is possible to feed laying hens a general flock feed and they will still produce usable eggs.However, these eggs are prone to a variety of problems. These problems can include thin shells, small eggs, misshapen or crooked eggs, eggs with wrinkled shells, and eggs without yolks.
This chicken feed not only contains more calcium but also about 16% protein and vitamins important for laying hens. However, the high calcium content in layer formula can be dangerous for birds that do not produce eggs. It can cause liver damage to chicks, roosters, older hens, and any other birds you keep in a mixed flock.
If you expect your layers to produce the best eggs possible, a good layer feed is not optional. There are also options available such as feed fortified with prebiotics, probiotics, and minerals like Omega-3 fatty acids as well as folic acid while some may contain marigold for beautiful bright-orange egg yolks. You should consider separating the layers from the rest of the flock if you are concerned about non-laying birds eating this feed.
5. Broiler Feed
The different levels of feeding we have looked at so far do not always apply to broilers. This is because broilers are bred specifically to grow as large as possible as quickly as possible. Because of their rapid growth, they often have health problems, but they are also not meant to live long at all. Most broilers are processed for their meat at about 7 - 9 weeks of age.Most chicken feed for broilers has an incredibly high protein content, usually around 25%. This allows them to grow quickly and build lots of muscle, which translates into high meat yields.
The rapid growth and high protein content can put stress on the chicken's heart, organs, and even legs. Many broiler chickens grow so fast that they cannot move well.
Still, the health of these birds is important because you want them to reach a good slaughter age and produce high-quality meat. Some farmers feed broiler chicks general broiler feed because it has the same protein content as the chick starter. However, this is not a good idea because this feed won't be medicated to protect against parasites.
Chick starter should continue to be fed to broiler chicks until they are about 4 weeks old. Thereafter they can switch to broiler feed. Although the protein content is similar, this feed contains other vitamins and minerals that adult broiler chickens need during their growth.
6. Game Bird Feed
This type of feed is typically fed to show birds. It also contains high protein content for fast, healthy growth and shiny feathers. The protein content in show chicken feed is not as high as broiler feed and does not contain as much calcium as layer feed.The best chicken feed for show birds is usually a high-quality, expensive feed that contains special ingredients. These ingredients often include black-oil sunflower seeds, organic vegetables such as peas and alfalfa, and even cricket meal. Exhibition birds do not usually forage, as this would increase their risk of injury.
Therefore, their feed must contain a variety of ingredients similar to what they would normally find in the wild. Game bird feed also contains a number of additional minerals and vitamins that support esthetic qualities. These include things like the thickness and color of the feathers, the shape of the comb and wattles, and the shape, size, and height of the bird.
Game chicken feed is occasionally fed to older birds or birds in poor health, especially in winter. The higher quality of the feed and the special ingredients can revive weakening chickens. However, due to the high cost, you should not use this feed as the standard feed for the entire flock.
7. Shell Grit
Grit is a part of chicken feed that is often not considered by some. It is important that chickens receive enough grit in their diet as it aids in digestion and egg production. Shell grit serves as an additional source of calcium for laying chickens. This helps supplement their diet and increase their chances of laying many high-quality eggs.Most chickens are good at not eating extra calcium if it is not needed, so portion size is not important. Grit is also important for all chickens - not just layers - because it aids in digestion. Grit is stored in the chicken's gizzard and assists break down food.
When chickens are free-range or allowed to roam freely, they usually find the grit they need in nature. Chickens kept in an enclosure should be fed grit. You can do this naturally by grinding up some eggshells in the chicken feed. You can also purchase commercial grit, which is either soluble or insoluble.
Soluble grit is usually made from finely ground oyster shells, cockle shells, and/or limestone. Insoluble grit is usually made from ground granite or flint. Commercial grit often also contains charcoal, which provides additional digestive support.
You should always purchase the correct grit size for your chickens. Grit that is very fine will pass right through their system and not get caught in the gizzard where it is required.
8. Chicken Scratch
Chicken scratch is not actually chicken feed, but an additional treat that should be given along with the regular feed. Scratch usually consists of a variety of whole grains such as wheat and seeds. These include sunflower seeds, milo, millet, oats, barley plus corn.You can buy pre-mixed bags of scratch at the store, although bags with more sunflower seeds and milo seeds are more expensive. You can also make your own mixture to save money.
Since scratch is not as nutritious as regular chicken feed, it should not make up more than 10% of your flock's diet. That means if you regularly give your chickens a half cup of chicken feed, you should give them about 2 1/2 teaspoons of scratch. Scratch is not necessary for chicken nutrition, but it can help keep them healthy.
It is also useful for encouraging them to come indoors at night and for positive associations. This can be useful when they have to experience things they do not like, such as delousing. It can also help them get used to your presence by associating you with their favorite food. If you are interested in learning more about scratch feed for chickens, please read our article here.
9. Fermented Feed
Fermenting chicken feed can be done with any grain or store-bought feed. It is a way of preparing feed that increases the nutritional value of the feed and reduces chicken feed expenses.This is because fermentation breaks the bonds that hold the proteins and nutrients in the grain, making it easier to digest. This also allows the chickens to absorb more nutrients per cup of feed, which means you have to buy less feed overall.
Fermenting feed is a fairly simple process. All you need is a large container with a lid, your regular feed, and water. Fill the bucket halfway with seed and then add dechlorinated water. The water should be a few inches above the seeds. Close the lid and let the mixture sit for 3 to 5 days. Stir the mixture once a day and add water as needed to keep the seeds constantly covered. Once you see bubbles in the water, the feed is ready. Strain the feed and give it to your chickens while it is still wet.
If you are interested in learning more about fermented feed for chickens, please read our article here.
10. Mash
Mash is a form of chicken feed that is ground so finely it almost looks like powder. All types of feed, from starter to grower to layer feed, can be purchased in mash form. It is most often used for chicks because it is easier to eat than crumble.However, some farmers also feed mash to adult chickens. Some chickens prefer mash and eat better when their feed is in this form. Mash is also a good way to give chickens a warm meal during winter.
Mash can be given in dry form, but most prefer to mix it with water. After mixing, it should have a mud-like consistency. Because of its high moisture content, prepared mash that is not consumed immediately will go bad in a very short time. Never try to store prepared mash and clean up the leftovers in your coop.
Conclusion
There are several types of chicken feed from which you can choose. Different types of feed are usually needed for different stages of life. Laying hens, broiler chickens, and show chickens all have different requirements.An unbalanced diet can affect chickens' laying performance or cause them to gain weight unnecessarily. Extra fat can make it difficult for your chickens to lay, and nutrient deficiencies can cause egg problems. Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to problems such as feather pecking, egg-eating, and cannibalism. So it is extremely important that we match our chickens' diets to their needs.
Additionally, you can supplement your chickens' diet with table scraps, but only sparingly as such treats should only make up 10% of their diet. Well-known chicken feed brands include Purina, Manna Pro, and Small Pet Select all with their own varieties such as non-GMO feed and soy-free options. Consider all of these factors when choosing the best chicken feed for your flock. By following the suggestions in this chicken feeding guide, you can help your chickens stay healthy and continue to lay well.
