What Do I Feed a Chicken? The Ultimate Guide to Chicken Nutrition

Ever brought home some fluffy chicks or full-grown hens and then thought, “Wait… what do I actually feed these birds?” You’re not alone! As a backyard chicken keeper for over a decade, I’ve learned through trial and error what works best for my feathered friends. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about keeping your chickens well-fed and healthy.

The Basics: What Chickens Actually Need

Chickens aren’t picky eaters (they’ll literally peck at almost anything), but they do need a balanced diet to thrive. Just like us humans, chickens require specific nutrients:

• Protein – Young chicks need 14-18%, laying hens need 16-18%, and roosters need about 9%
• Carbohydrates – For energy and daily activities
• Fats – Essential for nutrient absorption
• Vitamins – For immune function and overall health
• Minerals – Especially calcium for laying hens to produce strong eggshells

Commercial Chicken Feed Options

The easiest way to make sure your chickens get what they need is to provide a good quality commercial feed appropriate for their stage of life,

Types of Commercial Feed

1. Chick Starter Feed (0-8 weeks)

   • Higher in protein (18-20%)
   • Available in medicated or non-medicated options
   • Usually in “crumble” form which is easier for tiny beaks

2. Grower Feed (8-20 weeks)

   • Slightly lower protein (16-18%)
   • Helps young chickens develop before laying

3. Layer Feed (20+ weeks/laying hens)

   • Contains extra calcium for eggshell production
   • Usually around 16% protein
   • Available in both crumble and pellet form

4. Meat Bird Feed

   • Higher protein content for rapid growth
   • Specifically formulated for meat production

I personally prefer pellets over crumbles for my adult hens because there’s less waste. When I switched from crumbles to pellets, my chickens protested at first, but they adapted pretty quick!

How Much Feed Per Chicken?

A typical adult chicken will eat about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of feed per day. This varies based on:

• Breed and size
• Weather (they eat more in cold weather)
• Access to other food sources
• Whether they’re laying eggs

Free-Range Benefits & Supplemental Foods

Letting your chickens free-range isn’t just fun to watch—it’s also good for their health and your wallet! My chickens go absolutely bonkers when I let them out to forage.

Bugs & Critters Chickens Love

Chickens are natural bug hunters and will happily devour:

• Ants, beetles, and caterpillars
• Crickets and grasshoppers
• Grubs and mealworms
• Slugs and ticks

One time I watched my head hen chase a grasshopper for five solid minutes. The determination was impressive!

Garden Goodies for Chickens

From your garden, chickens can safely eat:

• Most vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and zucchini
• Leafy greens like kale, lettuce, and spinach
• Fruits like apples (seeds removed), berries, and melons
• Pumpkins and squash (seeds and all)
• Many herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme

Kitchen Scraps & Leftovers

Kitchen scraps make great treats for chickens. Mine come running when they hear the back door open!

Safe kitchen scraps include:

• Cooked rice and pasta
• Bread (in moderation, whole grain is best)
• Cheese and yogurt
• Cooked meat scraps
• Fruit and vegetable trimmings

Top 50 Foods Chickens Can Safely Eat

1. Chicken feed (obviously!)
2. Mealworms (my chickens’ absolute favorite)
3. Corn
4. Oats
5. Wheat
6. Rice (cooked)
7. Sunflower seeds
8. Pumpkin seeds
9. Flaxseeds
10. Apples (no seeds)
11. Bananas
12. Berries (all kinds)
13. Watermelon
14. Grapes
15. Cantaloupe
16. Pears
17. Peaches
18. Broccoli
19. Cabbage
20. Carrots
21. Cucumber
22. Kale
23. Lettuce
24. Peas
25. Sweet potatoes (cooked)
26. Pumpkin
27. Squash
28. Tomatoes (ripe only)
29. Zucchini
30. Yogurt
31. Cheese
32. Cooked eggs
33. Cooked meat scraps
34. Fish (cooked)
35. Popcorn (plain, no salt/butter)
36. Bread (in moderation)
37. Pasta (cooked)
38. Quinoa (cooked)
39. Sprouts
40. Dandelion greens
41. Clover
42. Grass clippings (small amounts)
43. Crickets
44. Earthworms
45. Grubs
46. Beetles
47. Grasshoppers
48. Nuts (unsalted, crushed)
49. Coconut (fresh or dried)
50. Chia seeds

Foods to NEVER Feed Your Chickens

Some foods are toxic or harmful to chickens. Keep these away from your flock:

• Avocado (especially the pit and skin) – contains persin which is toxic
• Chocolate – contains theobromine which is poisonous to chickens
• Raw or dried beans – contain lectins that are toxic when uncooked
• Moldy or spoiled food – can cause serious illness
• Green potato peels or green tomatoes – contain solanine
• Onions and garlic – can cause anemia and may affect egg flavor
• Citrus fruits (in large amounts) – can interfere with calcium absorption
• Salty foods – can cause electrolyte imbalances
• Coffee grounds or tea – contain caffeine which is harmful
• Alcohol – toxic to chickens
• Rhubarb leaves – contain oxalic acid
• Sugary foods – can lead to obesity and health issues
• Raw eggs – might teach chickens to eat their own eggs

DIY Homemade Chicken Feed

If you’re feeling ambitious (or want to save some $$$), you can make your own chicken feed. Here’s a basic recipe I’ve used:

• 30% wheat
• 30% corn
• 20% peas
• 10% fish meal
• 10% oats
• 2% poultry nutri-balancer
• Free choice kelp and aragonite (calcium source)

Just mix everything together and serve. Your chickens will thank you!

Treats and Supplements for Healthy Chickens

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your chickens’ diet, but they sure do love them!

Scratch Grains

Scratch is NOT the same as feed! It’s more like chicken candy—they love it, but it shouldn’t replace their regular feed. I use scratch as a training tool or occasional treat. My chickens come running when they hear the scratch container!

Grit and Calcium

Chickens need:

• Grit – Small rocks/sand that help grind food in their gizzard (essential if they eat anything besides commercial feed)
• Calcium supplements – Crushed oyster shell or crushed eggshells for laying hens

I keep both available free-choice in separate containers.

Feeding Schedule and Best Practices

There are two main approaches:

Option 1: Free-Choice Feeding

• Feed and water available 24/7
• Easier for busy people
• Works well for larger flocks
• Can attract pests if not managed properly

Option 2: Scheduled Feeding

• Feed twice a day (morning and evening)
• Less waste and fewer pests
• More interaction with your flock
• Ensures everyone gets their share

I personally use free-choice feeding because I have a large flock with different personalities. My shy hens wouldn’t get enough to eat with scheduled feeding because the bossy ones would hog it all!

Money-Saving Tips for Chicken Feed

Chicken feed can get expensive! Here’s how I’ve cut costs:

1. Allow free-ranging when possible
2. Grow fodder (sprouted grains) for cheap, nutritious feed
3. Buy in bulk (split with other chicken owners if needed)
4. Collect restaurant food waste (bread from bakeries, produce from grocery stores)
5. Plant chicken-friendly crops like sunflowers and corn
6. Ferment grains to increase nutritional value
7. Use proper feeders that reduce waste
8. Grow a “chicken garden” with fast-growing greens

Seasonal Feeding Adjustments

Your chickens’ needs change with the seasons:

• Summer: More water, less feed consumption, more foraging opportunities
• Winter: More calories needed for warmth, fewer bugs available, warm treats can help
• Spring: Perfect for increasing foraging as bugs and plants return
• Fall: Great time to offer pumpkins and fallen fruit

Troubleshooting Common Feeding Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are some common problems:

Egg Production Dropped

• Check calcium intake
• Ensure adequate protein
• Consider daylight hours (hens lay less in winter)

Feather Pecking or Cannibalism

• May indicate protein deficiency
• Provide more space and enrichment
• Check for external parasites

Weight Issues

• Too thin: Increase protein and fat, check for parasites
• Too fat: Reduce treats, increase exercise opportunities

Final Thoughts

Feeding chickens isn’t rocket science, but it does require some attention to their changing needs. I’ve found that a good quality commercial feed as the foundation, supplemented with healthy treats and foraging opportunities, keeps my flock healthy and happy.

Remember, happy chickens lay better eggs and are more resistant to disease. A little extra effort with their nutrition pays off big time!

What’s your experience feeding chickens? Have you found any treats your flock goes especially crazy for? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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This article was written by a chicken enthusiast who has learned through years of experience (and a few mistakes). Information has been compiled from reliable sources and personal observation, but every flock is different. Adjust feeding practices based on your chickens’ specific needs and behaviors.

The best diet for chickens is a high-protein, balanced feed supplemented with protein-rich greens, fresh fruits, and vegetables, as well as small amounts of grit for digestion. The type of feed depends on age and needs, such as chick starter for young birds, grower feed for growing pullets, and layer feed with added calcium for hens.

Chickens do not have a single favorite food, but they are known to love treats like insects, mealworms, and clover. Other popular options include various fruits such as blueberries and watermelon, grains like cracked corn, and leafy green vegetables like spinach.

Yes, free-ranging chickens still require supplemental feeding from a complete, balanced chicken feed, as their foraging for insects, seeds, and plants is unlikely to provide all the essential nutrients for optimal health and productivity.