Chicken Feed
Keep your chickens at their fine feathered best with chicken feed made for a variety of needs. You can find chicken food for birds at all life stages, including layer poultry feed, grower feed, chick feed, and more. Choose from organic chicken feed, high-protein feed, and medicated feed options, too.
You can feed chickens a variety of foods. Most experts recommend feeding a commercially produced, complete chicken feed made for your chicken's life stage and dietary needs. Some common chicken feed types include:
- Chick feed, also known as starter feed
- Grower feed for healthy development
- Layer feed for egg-producing hens
- Medicated feed for the prevention of coccidiosis
- Oyster shell feed for extra calcium
- Poultry grit to aid digestion
Young chicks should be fed a chick starter feed for proper nutrition, and after 8 weeks or so they can transition to a grower feed for healthy development. Younger poultry birds usually do best eating a crumble chicken feed, although you can transition them to pellet chicken feed as they get older. Laying hens need extra nutrition for healthy eggs, so switch to a layer feed once your egg chickens have fully matured.
There are also broiler feeds for meat chickens and show chicken feeds made for prize-winning birds. You may want to give your chickens supplement feeds like oyster shell feed for added calcium, poultry grit to aid in digestion, or chicken scratch feed as a special treat. Your vet may also recommend a medicated feed to prevent coccidiosis. Whichever feed you need for your poultry birds, you can find it at Chewy, then set it to Autoship and have it shipped right to your door regularly!
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Feed
What are the best chicken feeds?
The best chicken feeds will vary depending on the life stage, type and purpose of your chickens. Choose from starter, grower, layer, breeder and maintenance feeds to meet the nutritional needs of different life stages. Medicated feeds can help prevent coccidiosis, while supplemental feeds can provide added probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, vitamins and minerals your chickens may need. Chickens also love treats like mealworms, black soldier fly larvae and crickets, so you can give those for taming or training, too!
How much chicken feed should I use per day?
You should use the amount of chicken feed recommended on the feed package for each bird every day. The average laying hen eats about a quarter pound of food (4 oz.) per day, but how much you feed will depend on the food you choose and the size and breed of your birds. You may need to adjust the amount you feed seasonally, too.
When should you change chicken feed?
You should change the type of chicken feed when your birds reach different ages. Feed starter feed up to 10 weeks, then switch to a grower feed. At 18 weeks or after the first egg is laid, switch to a layer feed. Your chicken feed package should have some information on feeding, as well.
Does chicken feed expire?
Yes, chicken and poultry feed does expire, usually within six months. Different types of feed may spoil more quickly or store well for longer than that, so check the package for more information. You will need to store your feed well-sealed in a cool, dry place to help it stay fresh for your chickens.
What can you feed baby chicks?
You can feed baby chicks a variety of foods, but many experts recommend a complete chick starter feed for the best nutrition. Choose from medicated or non-medicated chick feed varieties. Your vet can give you the best guidance on what and how much to feed chicks.