The Ultimate Chicken Feeding Chart: How Much Should Your Chickens Eat

Chicken Feed: What You Need to Know

Feeding your chickens is an essential part of keeping them healthy and productive.

Chickens require a balanced diet consisting of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.

The type of feed you give your chickens will depend on their age, stage of life, and purpose. Here are some things you need to know about chicken feed:

1. Choose the right feed – There are different types of feeds available for chickens such as layer feed, starter feed, grower feed, and maintenance feed.

Layer feed is designed for hens that lay eggs and contain more calcium than other feeds.

Starter feed is suitable for young birds up to 8 weeks old while grower feed is meant for birds between 8-20 weeks old. Maintenance feed is used for adult birds.

2. Quantity matters – How much you should feed your chickens depends on factors like their age, size, and activity level.

As a general rule, chickens should be fed approximately 1% of their body weight per day.

For example, if your chicken weighs one pound, it should eat about one ounce of food per day.

However, this can vary depending on the season or climate. In colder weather, chickens may require more calories to keep warm.

3. Provide clean water – Water is just as important as food when it comes to keeping your chickens healthy. Make sure there is always fresh, clean water available for your flock. Change the water daily and add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to help prevent bacterial growth.

See also Why Your Chickens Might Be Laying Green Eggs (And What You Can Do About It)

The Ultimate Chicken Feeding Chart

Here’s a chart that shows how much feed your chickens should consume based on their age and purpose:

Age | Purpose | Daily Feed Amount (oz) |

Up to 8 weeks | Growth | 4-6 oz |

8-20 weeks | Growth/Maintenance | 8-10 oz |

20+ weeks | Laying | 15-20 oz |

Types of Chicken Feed Explained

There are several types of chicken feed available, including:

1. Layer feed – This feed is high in calcium and is designed specifically for layers. It contains added vitamins and minerals to support egg production.

2. Poultry feed – This feed is a general-purpose feed that can be used for all stages of a bird’s development, from chicks to adult birds. It typically contains a balance of proteins, carbs, and vitamins.

3. Gamebird feed – This feed is formulated for gamebirds like quail and pheasants. It usually has higher levels of protein and fat than standard poultry feed.

Best Chicken Feeds for Your Flock

When choosing a chicken feed, consider the following factors:

1. Ingredients – Look for feeds that contain natural ingredients like grains, vegetables, and fruits. Avoid feeds with fillers like soybean meal or corn gluten meal.

2. All-Natural – If you prefer organic or all-natural feeds, look for feeds that are certified by organizations like USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified.

3. Price – Like any other purchase, cost is a factor. Compare prices from different suppliers before making a decision.

By providing your chickens with a well-balanced diet is crucial to maintaining their health and productivity.

By understanding what they need to eat and how much, along with knowing the different types of feeds that are available, you can ensure that your flock stays happy and healthy.