Feeding chickens sounds simple, but once you start, you quickly realize how confusing it can get. Some people swear by giving table scraps, others warn against it. Some say more protein, while others say more greens.
It is no wonder most backyard chicken keepers end up second-guessing what is right for their flock. Feeding your chickens the wrong foods or too many treats can lead to poor egg quality, dull feathers, or even make them sick. However, when you get their diet right, the difference is amazing. Healthy, well-fed chickens lay stronger, richer eggs, have shinier feathers, and are much more active and happy.
Today, I am going to talk about what I personally feed my chickens on Carter Farm. How much I give them, how often I feed them, the types of treats they enjoy, and other healthy additions that help keep them active and strong.
Types of Chicken Feed
Before we talk more about treats and extras, let’s start with the basics: your chickens’ main food. No matter how many fun snacks or kitchen scraps you give them, a complete commercial feed should always be their main diet. It is specially made to give them all the nutrients they need to grow, stay healthy, and lay strong, beautiful eggs.
These feeds are carefully balanced by poultry nutrition experts, such as those from university agricultural programs like Purdue University Poultry Extension, to include the right mix of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. It’s honestly something you cannot replace with just homemade food or scraps.
Over the years on my Carter Farm, I’ve tried different types of feed, and here’s what I’ve learned about each stage of a chicken’s life:
Starter Feed (0–8 Weeks)
When chicks first hatch, they need starter feed, which is high in protein to help them grow strong and healthy. Some starter feeds are medicated to prevent common chick illnesses, while others are unmedicated if you’re raising them naturally or using vaccinations instead.
Grower Feed (8–18 Weeks)
Once the chicks get older, switch them to grower feed. It has slightly less protein than the starter feed but still supports healthy growth. This stage helps young pullets develop properly without starting to lay eggs too early.
Layer Feed (18 Weeks and Older)
When the hens reach about 18 weeks and start laying, start feeding them the layer feed. It is packed with extra calcium for strong eggshells and enough protein to keep their bodies healthy for consistent egg production. I feed this twice a day on the farm, and it has made a huge difference in both the quality and number of eggs.
All-Flock Feed
If you have a mixed flock of roosters, hens, and younger birds together, an all-flock feed can work well. It is a balanced option for all ages, but laying hens will still need a separate calcium supplement, such as crushed oyster shells, to keep their eggs strong.
What Chickens Need in Their Diet
A chicken keeper should know the ingredients of the diet he offers to his flock. Proper feeding is all about balancing these nutrients. Just like us, they need a mix of protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy and productive. A good diet means better egg production, shiny feathers, and active, happy birds.
Protein
The best thing to feed chickens is something rich in protein. Protein treats are my favorite to keep my flock healthy, especially during molting season or when they’re laying regularly. My girls love mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, and even small portions of scrambled eggs. You can also give cooked meat scraps. Just make sure they are plain, not seasoned.
Protein is vital for strong feathers and steady egg production, so I usually offer these treats about three to five times a week. Never too much, just enough to keep them strong.
Protein also helps chickens grow bigger and produce more meat. For meat-producing chickens, offer a protein feed of 22–24% during their first few weeks. This helps them build strong muscles and grow fast. After that, switch to a finisher feed with about 18–20% protein to keep them healthy and help them fill out nicely before processing.
Carbohydrates
Carbs give chickens the energy they need to scratch around, run, and stay active all day. Most grains, such as corn, oats, barley, and wheat, are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates. Avoid feeding them sugary or processed foods. Those simple carbs do little good and can cause health problems over time.
Fats
Fats are another important part of a chicken’s diet. They help store energy, keep the body warm, and support the absorption of vitamins like A, D, E, and K. However, too much fat can lead to overweight hens and reduced egg laying. So, always feed in moderation.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Calcium: It keeps eggshells strong and bones healthy. Oyster shells and crushed limestone are great sources.
- Phosphorus: It works together with calcium to strengthen bones and support metabolism.
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K: Vitamins help with immunity, vision, and overall vitality.
- Trace Minerals: Tiny amounts of selenium, zinc, iron, and manganese go a long way in maintaining a healthy flock.
Grit and Oyster Shell
Chickens don’t have teeth, so they use grit (tiny stones) in their gizzard to grind up food. Without grit, they may struggle to digest grains and seeds properly. Oyster shells, on the other hand, provide extra calcium that’s important for laying hens. Even if your chickens eat layer feed, offering oyster shells separately helps them pick what they need.
Water: The Most Overlooked Nutrient
- Always keep fresh, clean water available.
- Water helps with digestion, egg formation, and temperature control.
- Offer extra water when giving dry treats or in hot weather to prevent dehydration.
A proper diet works best when chickens have a safe and comfortable home. Let’s discover tips on how to build a chicken coop.
Best Treats for Chickens: My Tried-and-Tested Favorites
When it comes to treats, moderation is key. I like to follow the 80/20 rule. About 80% of my chickens’ diet comes from their regular commercial feed, and the remaining 20% (or less) is made up of healthy, fun treats. Think of treats as little rewards that make your flock happy, not full meals.
Treats do more than just make chickens excited. They help reduce boredom, encourage natural foraging behavior, and even give them a nutritional boost. Besides that, they are a great way to reuse safe kitchen scraps instead of throwing them away.
Fruits and Veggies
Chickens absolutely love fruits and veggies! Some of their all-time favorites include berries, watermelon, apples (without the seeds), pumpkin, carrots, peas, spinach, and leafy greens like kale or spinach. These foods are rich in vitamins and hydration, especially useful on hot days.
I usually chop fruits and veggies into small pieces to make them easier to peck at and digest. Just remember, even healthy foods should be fed in moderation, as too much fruit can add excess sugar.
Grains and Seeds
Grains and seeds are great sources of extra energy for chickens. Things like oats, cooked rice, and sunflower seeds, especially the black oil type, are good occasional treats. They help keep feathers shiny and give a nice energy boost, but I limit seeds to just a few times a week since they are quite high in fat.
Among seeds, chickens like to eat oats the most. You can feed them both rolled and whole, but only as an occasional treat —not their main food. I sometimes throw a handful for my flock, and they love pecking at it. You can give oats dry, soaked, or even mixed.
Some people also soak oats overnight or freeze them for a cool summer snack. Just remember, oats do not replace a balanced layer feed; they are just a fun and healthy snack in small amounts.
Legumes and Dairy
Cooked lentils, chickpeas, or beans are another solid source of plant protein, but never feed raw beans as they can be toxic. I sometimes give my chickens a spoonful of plain yogurt or cottage cheese as a rare treat, but only in tiny amounts since chickens do not handle dairy very well.
Non-GMO Chicken Feed
Another thing we usually recommend is feeding non-GMO or organic chicken feed. Over time, I have noticed my hens stay healthier, more active, and lay better-quality eggs when I keep their diet clean and natural. Sometimes, when one of my hens stops laying for a while, switching to a non-GMO or organic mix helps her get back on track.
I usually try Mile Four Organic Chicken Feed on Amazon. The GrubTerra Golden Dried supplement has also proven good in egg production.
Even though this type of feed costs a bit more than regular brands, I’ve found it worth every penny for maintaining my chickens’ health and steady egg production.
Feeding your chickens the right food is important, but so is giving them enough room to roam; check out our guide on the space chickens need.
How I Like to Treat My Flock (My Routine)
- Fruits: Watermelon, berries, apples, about 2–3 times a week.
- Veggies: A handful of greens or chopped carrots almost daily.
- Grains & Seeds: Oats or rice a few times weekly.
- Protein: Mealworms or scrambled eggs 3–5 times a week.
- Legumes: Cooked lentils or beans once or twice a week.
I have noticed that keeping this simple routine helps my chickens stay healthy, active, and super friendly. They even come running when they see me carrying a bowl. They know that treat time has arrived.
Treats for Different Chicken Needs
Just like people, chickens need different kinds of treats depending on the weather, their health, or what’s going on in their lives. Below are some right snacks for your flock at the right time.
Molting (Feather Regrowth)
When chickens lose and regrow their feathers, they need a lot of protein to make new ones. Give them mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, cooked eggs, or even small bits of cooked meat. These are packed with protein and healthy fats that make feathers grow back shiny and strong.
Hot Weather
Chickens can easily get overheated in summer. To help them stay cool and hydrated, offer watermelon, cucumber, frozen berries, or even some yogurt. You can also add ice cubes to their water. These snacks are high in water and vitamins, keeping your birds refreshed.
Cold Weather
In winter, chickens need extra energy to stay warm. Give them warm oatmeal, suet cakes, fermented or scratch grains. These treats are rich in fat and carbs, helping them generate body heat and stay cozy on cold days.
Give your chickens high-carb snacks, such as cracked corn or scratch grains, in the evening. It helps them stay warm and gives them an extra energy boost in winter.
Illness or Stress Recovery
When your chickens are sick or stressed, soft and nourishing foods help them bounce back. Offer scrambled eggs, cooked rice, yogurt, or electrolyte water. These are easy to digest and packed with nutrients to support recovery and gut health.
Boosting Egg Production
If your hens have slowed down on laying, add some high-protein snacks like mealworms and calcium-rich foods like kale or crushed oyster shells. These help them produce strong eggshells and maintain good laying shape.
It is safe to let them roam; free-ranging is one of the best short-term solutions. They’ll peck at: grass and weeds, insects and worms, seeds and small stones. This keeps them busy and naturally supplements their diet.
For those with young chicks, my guide on what to feed newborn chicks covers everything necessary to support their growth in the early stages.
What to Feed Roosters
Since roosters don’t lay eggs, they don’t need the extra calcium found in layer feed. They require a balanced, lower-calcium diet that focuses on protein, grains, and greens.
Best feed for roosters
- Poultry grower or maintenance feed (14–16% protein). It provides essential nutrients without excess calcium.
- Whole grains like corn, wheat, oats, or barley.
- Fresh greens and vegetables such as spinach, kale, lettuce, peas, and carrot shreds.
- Occasional protein treats, such as mealworms, cooked eggs, or seeds.
- Clean, fresh water at all times.
Understanding the differences between roosters and hens can help you plan their diet better. So, learn more about how to tell a rooster from a hen.
How Much to Feed a Chicken
Every chicken keeper has their own way of feeding, but most agree that adult chickens eat about ¼ pound of feed per day. That means a 50-lb bag usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. However, it all depends on how many chickens you have, whether they free-range, and how much extra food or kitchen scraps they get.
If you keep feed available all the time, your flock will eat whenever they want. However, if you restrict them to your own feeding, feed once or twice a day to avoid waste or attracting rodents. If you feed them freely, chickens usually regulate themselves well, but it depends on the breed. Some active birds stay lean, while heavier breeds can get chubby if food is always around.
In general, if your hens are healthy, laying well, and not leaving behind a bunch of wasted feed, you are probably feeding the right amount.
Knowing what to feed your flock goes hand in hand with understanding their lifespan. Read more about chicken’s lifespan in our comprehensive article.
Foods to Avoid
Not everything in your kitchen is safe for your chickens. In fact, some foods can seriously harm them. Chickens are curious eaters as they will peck at almost anything, so it is our job to make sure their curiosity does not get them into trouble.
Some foods contain natural toxins, which can upset their stomachs or cause long-term health problems. Even a small amount of the wrong food can lead to weakness, breathing issues, or worse. So, it is always better to play it safe when in doubt.
The Main Offenders You Should Always Avoid
- Avocado skin and pit: These contain a toxin called Persin, which can cause breathing problems, heart issues, and even sudden death. The flesh is okay in tiny amounts, but it’s safest to skip it altogether.
- Raw or dried beans: Uncooked beans contain lectins (phytohemagglutinin), which are highly toxic to poultry. Always make sure beans are thoroughly cooked before offering any.
- Green potatoes, potato skins, or green tomatoes: They contain solanine, a natural poison that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, paralysis.
- Chocolate: This one is a definite no. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are deadly for chickens and other pets.
- Rhubarb leaves: Loaded with oxalic acid, which can lead to kidney damage and weakness.
- Onions and garlic (in large amounts) contain thiosulphates, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
- Spoiled or moldy food: Chickens might try to eat it, but mold can contain mycotoxins that can cause vomiting, liver problems, and even death. Always toss anything you would not eat yourself.
- Salty foods: Too much salt can dehydrate your birds and hurt their kidneys. Avoid chips, processed snacks, and salted leftovers.
- Processed or junk foods: These are full of sugar, fats, and chemicals. They might seem harmless, but over time, they can lead to obesity, poor egg quality, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Pits of stone fruits (like cherries, peaches, or apricots): These can release cyanide when chewed, a deadly toxin. The flesh is fine, but keep the pits away.
