Are you constantly wondering if you’re feeding your chickens the right amount? Trust me, I’ve been there! When I first started raising chickens, I was constantly searching for answers about proper feeding amounts. The problem is that most feeding guidelines talk about pounds of feed, but who measures chicken feed by weight in their backyard coop? We use cups and scoops!
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down exactly how many cups of chicken feed you should give your flock daily, based on chicken type, age, and other important factors. No more guesswork – just practical, easy-to-follow advice!
Quick Reference Chart: Daily Chicken Feed Amounts
| Chicken Type | Daily Feed Amount |
|---|---|
| Small Laying Hens | 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp |
| Average Laying Hens | 3/4 cup (1/4 lb) |
| Large Laying Hens | 1 cup + 2 Tbsp (1/3 lb) |
| Roosters | Approximately 3/4 cup |
| 4-week Broilers | 1 cup |
| 9-week Broilers | Nearly 2 cups |
| Chicks (0-8 weeks) | Gradually increasing (about 1/3-1/2 cup per week) |
Understanding Your Chickens’ Feed Needs
Before diving into specific measurements it’s important to understand that several factors affect how much your chickens will eat
- Breed and size: Larger breeds naturally need more food
- Age: Growing chickens and productive layers need more nutrients
- Weather: Chickens eat more in cold weather (10-15% more in winter)
- Activity level: Free-ranging chickens may need 25% less commercial feed
- Egg production: High-producing hens need more calories and nutrients
- Feed type: Pellets are more dense than crumbles or whole grains
Laying Hens: How Much to Feed
The most common question I get is about laying hens so let’s start there!
Average-Sized Laying Hens
Most standard-breed laying hens need approximately 3/4 cup (1/4 pound) of layer feed per day This has been confirmed through practical measurement – exactly 3/4 cup of chicken feed equals 1/4 pound on a kitchen scale,
So if you have 8 average-sized hens, you’d feed them about 6 cups of feed per day (3/4 cup × 8 hens = 6 cups).
Small and Large Laying Hens
- Small laying hens: Need about 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp of feed daily
- Large laying hens: Require approximately 1 cup + 2 Tbsp (1/3 pound) daily
Adjusting for Laying Production
If you’ve got champion layers, you may need to increase their feed:
- High producers: Up to 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp per hen
- During molt: Increase to 1/2 cup per bird to meet protein needs for feather regrowth
Remember to always provide calcium supplements (like oyster shell) separately from their main feed so hens can consume what they need for strong eggshells.
Broiler Chickens & Meat Birds
Meat birds have completely different nutritional needs than layers. Their feed intake increases rapidly as they grow:
- Broiler chickens consume approximately 3 Tbsp more feed every week
- A 4-week-old Cornish Cross will eat about 1 cup of feed daily
- By 9 weeks, they’ll consume nearly 2 cups of feed each day
Meat birds should receive high-protein grower feed (19-24% protein) for maximum growth. Many raisers recommend feeding them unlimited feed 24/7 for the first 2-3 weeks, then switching to 12 hours on, 12 hours off until slaughter weight.
Chicks & Pullets: The Growing Stage
Baby chicks and growing pullets have different feeding requirements:
- Chicks (0-8 weeks): About 2 1/4 to 3 cups (3/4 to 1 lb) of chick starter feed per week
- Pullets (8-18 weeks): Approximately 4 1/2 cups (1 1/2 lb) of grower feed weekly
Most chicken keepers let chicks have free access to food since they won’t typically overeat. Just make sure you’re using the appropriate feed:
- Use unmedicated chick starter if your chicks received the coccidiosis vaccine
- Otherwise, medicated starter feed helps protect against coccidiosis
Roosters: The Overlooked Flock Members
Don’t forget about your roosters! The average rooster needs about 3/4 cup (1/4 lb) of feed daily, though active roosters who spend all day protecting the flock might need more.
IMPORTANT: Roosters should NOT eat layer feed with high calcium levels. Use a feed specifically formulated with less calcium or a general flock feed instead.
Factors That Affect Feed Consumption
Several factors can impact how much your chickens actually eat:
1. Free-Ranging Opportunities
Chickens with access to pasture may consume up to 25% less commercial feed because they’re supplementing their diet with insects, seeds, and plants. If your birds free-range, you might need to adjust your feeding accordingly.
2. Weather Conditions
During cold weather, chickens need more calories to maintain body temperature. Increase feed by 10-15% in winter months. Conversely, chickens may eat less during extreme heat.
3. Feed Type and Quality
Higher-quality feed is more nutrient-dense, so chickens may need to eat less of it. Additionally:
- Pellets are more dense than crumbles (1/4 lb of pellets is around 1/2 cup)
- Whole grains and cracked corn are processed differently than commercial feeds
4. Treats and Table Scraps
If you’re giving your chickens treats (which should be limited to 10% of their diet), they’ll consume less of their regular feed. Make sure they’re still getting the nutrients they need from their main feed.
How Much Feed Is in a 50-lb Bag?
A 50-lb bag of chicken feed typically contains between 150-200 cups, depending on the type and brand. If your average hen eats 3/4 cup per day, one 50-lb bag should feed a single chicken for about 200-266 days (or a flock of 8 chickens for 25-33 days).
Best Practices for Feeding Your Flock
Based on my experience and the collective wisdom of many chicken keepers, here are some practical feeding tips:
Free-Choice vs. Measured Feeding
There are two main approaches to feeding chickens:
-
Free-choice feeding: Providing unlimited access to feed
- Advantages: Ensures chickens always have food available
- Disadvantages: Can attract pests, may lead to wasted feed
-
Measured feeding: Providing specific amounts at set times
- Advantages: Reduces waste, allows monitoring of consumption
- Disadvantages: Requires more attention, dominant birds may get more food
I prefer a middle-ground approach: Feed most of the daily amount in the morning, then check in the afternoon. If feeders are empty too early, you’re not providing enough.
Practical Feeding Tips
- Use treadle feeders to prevent wild birds and rodents from stealing feed
- Provide multiple feeding stations to prevent bullying
- Measure feed consistently using the same scoop or cup
- Adjust gradually as you observe your flock’s needs
- Feed in the morning when chickens are most active
- Remove feeders at night to discourage pests
DIY Feed Mixtures
If you’re mixing your own feed, here’s a simple recipe combining commercial feed with local grains for laying hens:
Example Mix (25 kg/55 lbs total):
- 20% commercial layer ration (3.7 cups)
- 50% wheat (9.5 cups)
- 25% barley (4.6 cups)
- 5% calcium supplement (9 cups)
Alternatively:
- 20% layer feed (3.7 cups)
- 20% barley (37 cups)
- 20% oats (37 cups)
- 25% wheat (4.6 cups)
- 5% calcium (9 cups)
Common Questions About Chicken Feed Amounts
Q: My chickens seem hungry all the time. Should I feed them more?
A: Chickens are naturally active foragers – scratching and pecking is their instinct, not necessarily a sign of hunger. Monitor egg production and body condition to determine if they truly need more feed.
Q: What is the 90/10 rule for feeding chickens?
A: The 90/10 rule suggests that 90% of a chicken’s diet should be complete feed, while only 10% should be treats or scraps.
Q: How do I know if I’m feeding enough?
A: Watch for these signs:
- Steady egg production
- Good body weight (not too heavy or too thin)
- Alert, active behavior
- Feed that’s nearly gone by evening, but not empty too early in the day
Conclusion: Finding Your Flock’s Perfect Portion
While the guidelines in this article provide a solid starting point, remember that every flock is different. Start with these recommended amounts, then observe your chickens and adjust accordingly.
The key is to find the right balance – feeding enough to support optimal health and production without wasting feed or attracting pests. With a little observation and adjustment, you’ll quickly develop an intuition for exactly how many cups of feed your particular chickens need each day.
Do you have questions about feeding your specific flock? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Different Types of Chicken Feed
Okay, let’s talk about different types of chicken food. When I start my chicks out, I use a non-medicated chick crumble. I prefer non-medicated food because my Baby Chick Care Kit includes First Peep which gives them such a great start and natural ingredients to do the same things as a medicated food. This is a personal preference, but if you use Strong Animals Chicken Essentials, you likely want to do things as naturally as possible.
Once your chickens hit around 8 weeks, it’s a good idea to switch from non-medicated starter feed to grower feed. This is where your chickens will start growing into mature hens that will eventually lay eggs. Switching from starter to grower feed at this point will give them what they need to grow and thrive.
When I switch my hens over to layer feed, I switch to pellets. I’ve found they are much less messy and less goes to waste. The chickens protested right away, but now they seem to love the pellets just as well.
If you’re raising meat chickens, you need to feed them meat bird food their entire (albeit short!) life. This will cause them to grow rapidly to produce meat within about 6 weeks.
Best Practices to Feed Chickens
There are many chicken owners who only put the feed outside twice a day. This is actually a really great way to feed your chickens while cutting down on the pest population. By keeping food and water out of your coop, you’ll likely keep mice, rats, and other pests out of your coop. I love this idea especially for people who are in the habit of feeding their farm animals twice a day. This is not what I do, however. I keep my flocks food and water in the coop, and they have access to it 24/7. This is what works for me.
I have a large flock, and I’m worried that if I only fed them twice a day, not everyone would get what they need. This way, the higher up in the pecking order birds usually get to eat first. Then, the lower hens still get to eat. If the weather is nice, they always get their snacks, treats and leftovers outside. ‘
In the winter, I’ll put leftovers pan out and give them their treats in the coop. I’ll also throw their scratch down on their bedding and they turn their bedding for me. It’s a win-win for everyone!