Straight Feed for Chickens: Grain Feed, Grit and Mealworms

Straight Feed for Chickens: Grain, Grit and Treats

With straight feed for chickens you can mix your own grain feed or top up layers feed exactly where needed. Every hen knows wheat, barley, maize and oats, while sunflower seeds and dried mealworms are popular extras. Then there is grit, which your hens need for digestion in the gizzard and for strong eggshells. That way you have everything that belongs in the hen house alongside the main feed.

Mixing your own grain feed and scratch feed

Feed grain comes whole, cleaned, crushed, rolled or popped, plus barley flakes and organic grain. Whole grains make ideal scratch feed: scatter them in the litter or the run in the afternoon and your hens stay busy scratching as they love to do. Crushed grain and organic cracked maize are smaller and mix well into a wet mash. Maize adds energy in cold weeks, while oats bring variety to the trough.

Grit, mealworms and extras

Chickens have no teeth. Small stones in the gizzard grind up the grain, which is why grit belongs in every hen house. Oyster shell grit and the calcium oyster grit mix also supply calcium for firm shells. Ideally offer it in a separate dish so your hens can help themselves. Dried mealworms are a popular treat and provide protein, especially during the moult. Sunflower seeds, hulled, black or striped, plus brewer's yeast round off the selection.

Frequently asked questions

Do chickens need grit if they free range?
Hens with a large run often find enough small stones themselves, but on lawns or indoors that hardly works. So always offer grit as well, and your hens will take what they need. Oyster shell grit also supplies calcium for the eggshells.

Can I mix chicken feed from grain alone?
Grain on its own contains too little protein and calcium for laying hens. Use a layers mash or layers pellets as the basis and add grain, sunflower seeds or mealworms on top. That keeps your hens well nourished and laying reliably.

Why do chickens stop laying during the moult?
During the moult hens grow a new set of feathers, and feathers are made almost entirely of protein. The break in laying is therefore completely normal. Protein rich extras such as dried mealworms help your hens through this time.