What to Feed Chickens (and What Not To)
The 90/10 rule, age-by-age feeds, and a searchable A-Z of what's safe.
Chickens are omnivores with simple needs and bottomless enthusiasm. The rule that keeps a flock healthy and laying is 90/10: 90% of the diet a quality commercial feed matched to their age, at most 10% treats and scraps. Get that backwards and eggs are the first thing to stop.
The right feed by age
- Chick starter (hatch to 8 weeks): high-protein crumble, 18-20%.
- Grower (8 to 18 weeks): 15-16% protein. Not layer feed yet: its extra calcium harms growing kidneys.
- Layer (18 weeks on): 16-18% protein plus calcium for shells. Pellets waste less than mash. Shell grit free-choice on the side regardless.
- Moulting birds: feathers are protein; bump it with sunflower seeds, cooked eggs or mealworms while they regrow.
Can chickens eat...? Search it
The never-feed list
Avocado, chocolate, coffee, raw or dried beans, rhubarb, anything mouldy, anything salty, green potato, onion in quantity, and piled grass clippings. Most of the rest of your kitchen is fair game inside the 10%.
Laying boosters that actually work
Consistent layer feed, clean water in summer shade, calcium grit on the side, 14+ hours of daylight (why laying dips in southern winters), and low stress. No supplement fixes a flock getting half its diet as bread.
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