Chicken Feed: Balanced nutrition from chick to laying hen

Chicken Feed: What your hens really need

Good chicken feed is the foundation for healthy birds and steady laying. Chickens need protein, energy, minerals and calcium in a balanced ratio. The easiest way to achieve this is a complete feed in the form of layers mash or pellets, topped up with a little grain in the afternoon. In our range you will find feed for chicks, pullets, laying hens and table birds.

Complete feed or grain?

The most common mistake among backyard keepers is feeding grain alone. Wheat, barley and maize provide plenty of energy but too little protein and calcium. A complete feed, on the other hand, contains everything a hen needs and should therefore make up most of the ration. A chicken muesli or grain mix is best offered as a treat, for example in the evening before the birds go in. That keeps your hens busy while they still get all the nutrients they need. For Silkies there are also mixes without maize.

Grit, peck blocks and supplements

As well as feed, chickens need grit to help the gizzard and an extra source of calcium such as oyster shell grit, especially during the laying season. A peck block keeps the birds occupied and provides minerals. During the moult or in stressful times, herbs, yeast and vitamins given in the feed or water can support their bodies. You will also find layers feed with added herbs for the mite season here.

Frequently asked questions

Can I feed my chickens kitchen scraps?
Raw vegetable and fruit trimmings from the garden make a nice change in small amounts. Cooked, seasoned or salty leftovers and anything mouldy do not belong in the run. The main ration should always be a balanced complete feed.

Why do my hens lay fewer eggs in winter?
Laying depends heavily on day length. As the days get shorter, many hens take a break or go into moult. That is completely natural, and a good layers feed with enough protein helps them get back into their stride in spring.

How much grain can I give my chickens?
Grain is high in energy but low in protein and calcium. Complete feed should make up the bulk of the diet, with grain as a small extra, ideally in the afternoon. Hens that get too much grain put on fat and lay less.