Choosing Feeds for Your Chickens at Different Ages

Chicks pecking from feed in a feeder

When it comes to feeding your baby and adult chickens, many commercial chicken and poultry feeds are available. With a variety of different formulas, including organic, GMO-free, and omega-3 fatty acid-fortified, as well as crumbles and pellets for all ages of chickens, you have many options as you determine which feed is the best for your flock. Keep reading to learn more about the various options on the market and how you can select the right formula for your birds.

A Look at Your Flock

Purina Mills Flock Raiser Pellets

The first question to ask yourself is whether you plan to raise only chickens, or if you are going to be raising a mixed species flock. Many feed companies produce formulations specifically for chickens, as well as formulas for mixed flocks including ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks, and guineas. This is important because mixed poultry feeds present a well-rounded panel of nutrients to support a variety of birds, while chicken feed focuses solely on the needs of chickens. Mixed-flock feed, such as Purina Mills Flock Raiser Pellets, can safely be fed to chickens, but you should never give chicken feed to ducks, turkeys, or other poultry; instead look for specialized poultry-species feed or feed a mixed-flock feed.

Feeds for all Life’s Stages

It is also important to take into account the age of your birds. Some feeds are designed to support your flock over the duration of their lives, while others are more specialized for certain developmental stages. 

Starter Feed

Generally, the first feed that chicks eat is a starter feed. These have a minimum protein level of about 18%-20% to support chicks’ development during the first formative months of their lives. If you have chicks, you will want to determine whether or not you want to feed them medicated feed. Medicated feeds contain a coccidiostat, which prevents coccidiosis – a common parasitic infection of the chick’s intestinal tract that blocks nutrient absorption, which can in turn cause bloody stools, a decrease in appetite, and, in extreme cases, death. Baby chicks are extremely susceptible to coccidiosis because it is commonly found in the soil and their immune systems have not yet developed enough to fight it off.

Purina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Feed

Some chicks are vaccinated against coccidiosis at the hatchery, while others are not. All of the chicks that are purchased through The Cheshire Horse are unvaccinated. To prevent coccidiosis in unvaccinated chicks, it is recommended that you feed a medicated feed, such as Purina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Feed or Manna Pro Chick Starter Grower – Medicated Crumble. The coccidiostat in medicated feed stays in the gut of the chick and fends off coccidiosis throughout their lifetime. The coccidiostat does not reach the meat and will not affect the eggs in any manner.

Manna Pro Chick Starter Grower - Non-Medicated Crumbles

Conversely, vaccinated chicks should be fed an unmedicated feed because they already have immunity to coccidiosis. While vaccinated chickens are able to eat medicated feed, they simply already have the appropriate precautions against coccidiosis. For vaccinated chickens, unmedicated feed, like Manna Pro Chick Starter Grower – Non-Medicated Crumbles, is more appropriate. Mixed flock feeds are available in medicated and non-medicated options.

Regardless of if you choose a medicated starter or not, you should plan to feed your layer chicks starter feed until they lay their first egg. At this time, it is appropriate to transition them to layer feed.

Layer Feed

Purina Mills Layena Crumbles

Typically, around 16-22 weeks, or when the chickens produce their first eggs, it is time to transition them over to a layer feed. These feeds have lower levels of protein (about 16%-17%) because too much protein can cause the hens to grow oversized eggs, which can cause health issues for them. Layer feeds have increased amounts of calcium as well, which is because calcium is so important for egg development. If hens are not provided with enough calcium in their diet, they will begin to leach it from their bones, causing additional health concerns. Look for a balanced layer feed, for example, Purina Mills Layena Crumbles, to support your hens’ health through the egg production process. Depending on your chicken feed, you may need to supplement with an oyster shell additive (Manna Pro Oyster Shell) to increase the calcium content of your hens’ diet. An adult hen (approximately 18 weeks old and older) should consume 4-5g of calcium daily.

Meat Birds

Kalmbach 22% Start to Finish Meatbird - Medicated

Meat birds have their own set of needs. Because they grow at such a rapid rate, meat birds have higher protein requirements. Many chicken enthusiasts start their meat birds with a flock raiser crumble, like the Purina Mills Flock Raiser Crumbles, while others feed a meat bird start to finish feed, such as the Kalmbach 22% Start to Finish Meatbird, for the duration of their lives. It is essential that meat birds are given feed with at least 20% protein to support their rapidly growing muscles.

Many meat birds are also fed non-medicated feed or a medicated feed that has been developed specifically for them. This is because they eat so much more by volume and could potentially overwhelm their systems with the coccidiostat if fed a traditional medicated starter.

Pellets vs. Crumbles

Many customers ask us if there is a difference between feed pellets and crumbles. While crumbles are smaller than pellets, there is no nutritional difference between the two. Morgan Monty, our Assistant Manager of Pet Sales, explains, “Generally, crumbles are fed to chicks because the chicks can peck at the smaller bites more easily. Then, chicken keepers tend to transition to pellets for older birds because they are cleaner and less messy to feed. However, smaller bantam hens and pickier hens may still prefer crumbles.” The choice between pellets and crumbles is completely up to you — find a format that works for you and your flock.

Some studies, including Effect of foraging material and food form on feather pecking in laying hens, have shown that crumbles provide chickens with more stimulation because they encourage more natural foraging behavior. If you feed pellets, it is suggested that you utilize a thicker layer of bedding for your chickens, while also providing your flock with additional foraging opportunities.

Specialized Feeds

As you shop, you will notice that there are a wide variety of brands and grades of chicken feed, as well as a number of specialized options. Monty tells us, “It is generally established that the higher quality feed you provide your chickens, the higher quality of egg they will produce. Look for chicken feed that supports your flock, fits within your budget, and addresses any health concerns that you may have.”

Purina Mills Organic Layer Pellets

There are many all-natural and organic chicken feed options available, and these appeal to many of our customers, allowing their flock to produce organic eggs. Certified organic means that the feed has been produced without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which means that the eggs your chickens lay will be free of the potentially harmful chemicals as well. Depending on the specific feed that you purchase, you can also limit or eliminate GMOs and soy in your chicken’s diet. This is especially important if you are sensitive to soy and are handling the feed and/or eating the eggs. Purina Mills Organic Layer Pellets and New Country Organics Soy-Free Layer Feed are popular options. However, it is important to note that organic feeds are more expensive than other options and can be cost-prohibitive.

Kalmbach Hi Omegga Layer Pellets

To increase the quality of your chickens’ eggs, you may want to consider an omega-3 fatty acid-fortified feed. Kalmbach Hi Omegga Layer Pellets and Purina Mills Layena Plus Omega-3 both contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. This in turn adds the essential fatty acid to the eggs, making them a healthier option for your family.

Some feeds are manufactured to support certain niches of the poultry industry. Show poultry food, such as Kalmbach Show Poultry Starter/Grower, has been developed specifically for the needs of competitive show poultry. These high protein feeds (often as high as 24%-25%) promote full, plump birds, as well as containing sulfur amino acids to help your bird grow beautiful, strong plumage.

What About Scratch?

Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Scratch, Crafted with Non-GMO US Purple Corn

When talking about chicken feed, we are often asked about chicken scratch, including the Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Scratch and the Purina Mills Organic Scratch Grains. Made from cracked corn, oats, and other grains, scratch is considered to be a delicious treat for chickens and should not be used as a complete source of nutrition. Some scratches, like the Happy Hen Ultra Peckable Feed – Bug & Grain Scratch, even include fly larvae for added interest and variety. When given to adolescent or adult chickens, scratch will induce the natural instinct to peck at or scratch at the ground. Scratch should be used to supplement your chicken’s daily feed rations, never as a substitute.

Hentastic Chicken Treats Mealworm And Oregano

In addition to scratch, many chicken keepers like to supplement their bird’s diet with mealworms and other treats. Mealworms, such as Mealworm To Go Dried Mealworms, are an excellent source of protein for your chickens — they also taste great! We carry a full selection of poultry treats to pamper your birds… some of our customers report that treats can even help you to teach your chickens tricks as well as encourage them to come to you when called!

Do you have questions about which chicken feed is the best for your flock? We invite you to speak with a member of our knowledgeable and experienced sales team who can provide you with complimentary poultry nutritional evaluation and assist you in selecting the poultry feed that meets your needs and the needs of your flock.

Leave a Comment