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Raising backyard chickens has become a popular trend among both rural and urban dwellers alike. Not only are they a great source of fresh eggs, but they also provide natural pest control and make wonderful pets. However, ensuring your feathered friends receive a balanced diet is essential for their health, egg production, and overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about what to feed your backyard chickens.

What Do Chickens Eat?

Chickens are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. They require a variety of essential nutrients to support their growth, development, egg production, and overall health.

1. Protein: Protein is essential for muscle development, feather growth, and egg production in chickens. Adequate protein intake is especially important for young chicks and laying hens. Good sources of protein for chickens include commercial feed, insects, mealworms, earthworms, and legumes.
2. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide chickens with energy for daily activities and metabolic functions. Grains such as corn, wheat, barley, and oats are common sources of carbohydrates in a chicken’s diet.
3. Fats: Fats are a concentrated source of energy for chickens and play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin, feathers, and egg production. Sources of dietary fat for chickens include seeds, nuts, and certain grains.
4. Vitamins: Chickens require various vitamins for proper growth, immunity, and metabolic functions. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are particularly important for chickens. Vitamin A supports vision and immune function, vitamin D aids in calcium absorption and bone health, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and vitamin K is involved in blood clotting. Chickens can obtain vitamins from their diet, but supplementation may be necessary, especially for birds kept indoors or in environments with limited access to sunlight.
5. Minerals: Minerals are essential for bone development, muscle function, and overall health in chickens. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important for bone formation and eggshell production. Other essential minerals for chickens include potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese. Chickens can obtain minerals from their feed, supplements, and natural foraging activities.
6. Water: Water is the most critical nutrient for chickens. It is essential for maintaining hydration, regulating body temperature, digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. Chickens should always have access to clean, fresh water throughout the day.
7. Amino Acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for growth, tissue repair, and egg production in chickens. Essential amino acids, such as methionine, lysine, and arginine, must be provided in the diet since chickens cannot synthesize them in sufficient quantities.

What Do Chickens Eat?

Chicken Feed

The easiest way to meet your chickens’ nutritional needs is through commercial chicken feed. Available in various forms such as starter feed, layer feed, and scratch grains, these feeds are formulated to provide the essential nutrients required for healthy development and egg production. Here are the main types of chicken feed.

1. Starter Feed: Starter feed is designed for newly hatched chicks up to about 8 weeks of age. It is high in protein (typically around 20-24%) to support rapid growth and development. Starter feed is finely ground to make it easier for young chicks to consume.
2. Grower Feed: Grower feed is intended for young chickens that have outgrown starter feed but are not yet laying eggs. It has slightly lower protein content (around 16-18%) compared to starter feed but still provides the essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
3. Layer Feed: Layer feed is formulated specifically for laying hens to support egg production. It contains higher levels of calcium (typically around 3-4%) to help hens produce strong eggshells. Layer feed usually has a lower protein content (around 16-18%) compared to starter and grower feeds.
4. Mixed Flock Feed: Mixed flock feed, also known as all-flock feed or flock raiser feed, is a type of chicken feed that is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a mixed flock of poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry species. This type of feed is versatile and convenient for backyard poultry keepers who raise multiple species of birds together.
5. Broiler Feed: Broiler feed is designed for chickens raised for meat production (broilers). It is high in protein and energy to promote rapid growth and efficient meat production. Broiler feed may contain antibiotics or other additives to support growth and prevent disease.
6. Scratch Grains: Scratch grains are a mixture of whole grains such as corn, wheat, barley, and oats. They are often used as supplemental feed for adult chickens to provide variety and stimulation. I like to give my chickens scratch grains in the winter when they aren’t able to free-range as often. Scratch grains should not be the sole source of nutrition but can be offered in addition to a balanced feed.
7. Fermented Feed: Fermented chicken feed is a type of poultry feed that has undergone a fermentation process before being fed to chickens. This process involves soaking the feed in water and allowing it to ferment naturally over a period of time, typically 24 to 48 hours. During fermentation, beneficial bacteria form due to the breakdown of carbohydrates in the feed into simpler compounds making it easier for digestion.
8. Organic Feed: Organic chicken feed is made from ingredients that are certified organic and free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The organic feed may be available in starter, grower, layer, or broiler formulations.
9. Medicated Feed: Medicated chicken feed contains additives such as antibiotics or coccidiostats to prevent or treat common diseases or parasites. Medicated feed should only be used under veterinary supervision and for the specific duration recommended on the label.

When selecting chicken feed, it’s essential to choose a high-quality product appropriate for your chickens’ age, purpose, and dietary needs.

Free-Range Foragers: Supplementing with Natural Foods

While commercial feed is a good foundation, allowing your chickens to free-range in a backyard or enclosed chicken run offers numerous benefits. Free-range chickens have access to a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including insects, seeds, and vegetation, which contribute to a more varied diet and healthier eggs.

Kitchen Scraps

Supplementing their diet with kitchen scraps, such as vegetable peelings and fruit leftovers (avoiding toxic foods like apple seeds and members of the nightshade family), not only reduces waste but also provides additional vitamins and minerals. However, it’s essential to ensure that treats like table scraps are given in moderation to prevent nutritional imbalances.

Essential Supplements: Oyster Shells, Grit, and More

In addition to their main feed, providing supplemental sources of calcium, such as oyster shells or crushed eggshells, is crucial for egg-laying hens to maintain strong eggshells and prevent calcium deficiencies. To learn how to support your egg-laying hens, check out this article.

Insoluble grit, such as small stones or coarse sand, aids in their digestive system by helping them grind food in their gizzards. To learn more about the importance of grit, check out this article.

Healthy Snacks and Treats

While it’s tempting to spoil your chickens with treats, it’s essential to choose healthy options. Sunflower seeds, dark leafy greens like turnip greens, and small amounts of fresh fruit are excellent choices. However, avoid feeding them junk food or uncooked beans, which can be harmful to their health. For a list of foods not to feed your chickens, click here.

Water: The Most Important Nutrient

Providing fresh, clean water is perhaps the most crucial aspect of your chickens’ diet. Ensure they always have access to clean water, as dehydration can lead to decreased egg production and overall health issues.

How Much Should You Feed Your Chickens?

The amount of feed to give your chickens depends on several factors, including their age, breed, size, activity level, and whether they are laying eggs or not. Personally, I leave the chicken feed out for my birds to eat whenever they want. But here are some general guidelines to help you determine how much to feed your chickens.

1. Starter Feed (Chicks): For newly hatched chicks up to 8 weeks of age, provide starter feed free-choice (available at all times). Chicks will typically eat about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of starter feed per day per chick.
2. Grower Feed (Young Chickens): After 8 weeks of age, transition chicks to grower feed. Offer grower feed free-choice, allowing them to eat as much as they want. Young chickens will consume approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup of grower feed per day per bird.
3. Layer Feed (Laying Hens): Once chickens reach laying age (around 18-20 weeks), switch to layer feed to support egg production. Offer layer feed free-choice, ensuring it is available at all times. Laying hens will eat about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of layer feed per day per bird.
4. Broiler Feed (Meat Birds): Broiler chickens raised for meat production may consume larger quantities of feed to support rapid growth. Provide broiler feed free-choice, allowing them to eat as much as they want. Broilers may consume 1/2 to 1 cup of feed per day per bird, depending on their age and size.
5. Supplements and Treats: In addition to their main feed, you can offer supplemental treats such as fruits, vegetables, grains, or protein-rich snacks like mealworms or kitchen scraps. These should be given in moderation and should not exceed 10% of the chickens’ total diet.
6. Monitor Body Condition: It’s essential to monitor your chickens’ body condition to ensure they are receiving the appropriate amount of feed. Overweight or underweight chickens may indicate feeding issues. Adjust the amount of feed accordingly based on their body condition and activity level.
7. Environmental Factors: Factors such as temperature, weather conditions, and access to foraging opportunities can also influence how much feed chickens consume. During colder months, chickens may require more calories to maintain their body temperature, while in warmer weather, they may eat less.
8. Feed Waste: Minimize feed waste by using feeders designed to reduce spillage and spoilage. Clean feeders regularly and remove any uneaten or spoiled feed to maintain feed freshness and quality.

How to Store Chicken Feed

Proper storage of chicken feed is essential to maintain its freshness, nutritional quality, and to prevent contamination by pests or moisture. Here are some guidelines for storing chicken feed effectively.

1. Use Airtight Containers: Store chicken feed in sturdy, airtight containers or bins made of metal or food-grade plastic. Airtight containers help to keep out moisture, pests, and contaminants, preserving the feed’s quality and freshness.
2. Keep Feed in a Cool, Dry Place: Store feed in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Ideally, choose a storage area such as a garage, shed, or pantry that is well-ventilated and protected from pests.
3. Elevate Containers Off the Ground: Place feed containers on shelves or pallets to keep them off the ground and away from potential moisture, pests, and rodents. This helps to prevent contamination and spoilage of the feed.
4. Rotate Stock: Practice first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation to ensure that older feed is used first before newer batches. This helps to maintain freshness and prevents feed from becoming stale or moldy over time.
5. Seal Open Bags Properly: If you purchase feed in bags, ensure that the bags are tightly sealed after each use to prevent exposure to air, moisture, and pests. Use bag clips, twist ties, or resealable bags to seal open bags securely.
6. Monitor for Signs of Spoilage: Regularly inspect feed for signs of spoilage, including mold, unusual odors, or insect infestations. Discard any feed that appears moldy, discolored, or contaminated to prevent health risks to your chickens.
7. Keep Feed Away from Household Chemicals: Store chicken feed away from household chemicals, pesticides, and other potential contaminants that could leach into the feed and pose health risks to your chickens.
8. Consider Pest Control Measures: Implement pest control measures such as using rodent-proof containers, setting traps, or using natural deterrents to prevent pests such as rodents, insects, and birds from accessing and contaminating the feed.

By following these storage guidelines, you can help ensure that your chicken feed remains fresh, nutritious, and free from contamination, providing your chickens with the best possible diet for their health and well-being.

Bottom Line

Feeding your backyard flock a balanced diet consisting of commercial feed, supplemented with natural forages, kitchen scraps, and appropriate treats, is essential for their overall health and egg production. Access to fresh water and essential supplements like calcium and grit ensures they receive all the necessary nutrients for healthy development and strong eggshells.

Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting out, understanding your chickens’ dietary needs and offering them a varied diet is key to raising happy, healthy chickens that lay delicious eggs. So, next time you’re stocking up on feed at your local feed store, consider adding some fresh greens or sunflower seeds to their diet—it’s a great idea for both you and your flock!

What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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Related Posts:
What is Chicken Grit?
How to Support Egg-Laying Hens
What Not to Feed Your Chickens
Can Chickens Eat Strawberries?
Can Chickens Eat Dog Food?

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