What to Feed Backyard Chickens (and How Much)
Feeding chickens is simple until you start reading forums. The short version: layers pellets, grit, clean water, and a few firm rules about scraps. Here is the detail behind that.
How much per day
Roughly 1/4 lb (110-120g) of layers pellets per bird per day. Free-feeding from a hopper is the easiest method - hens regulate their own intake surprisingly well, and you avoid the rush that comes with set meal times.
Adjust upward in cold spells: they burn energy staying warm, and a hen that is underfed in winter will stop laying before one that is well fed.
What layers pellets contain
- Protein 16-18% - for feathers and egg production
- Calcium - for shells; this is why layers feed differs from grower feed
- Vitamins and minerals they would otherwise find while foraging
Changing brands suddenly can pause laying for a few days. Mix the old and new feed for about a week if you switch.
Grit and oyster shell: two different things
| Item | What it does | How to offer it |
|---|---|---|
| Grit (small stones) | Sits in the gizzard and grinds up fibrous food | Separate dish, always available |
| Oyster shell | Extra calcium for strong shells | Separate dish - do not mix into feed |
Keeping them in separate dishes matters: hens take what they need, when they need it. Mixing them into the feed overdoses the birds that do not need it.
Kitchen scraps: what is safe
Scraps are a supplement, not a diet. Keep them to roughly a handful per bird per day at most.
- Fine: vegetable trimmings, cooked rice or pasta in moderation, fruit cores, stale bread (soaked)
- Avoid: anything mouldy, avocado (including the skin and stone), raw or green potato, salty or oily leftovers, citrus in quantity
- Never: anything mouldy - mould can carry toxins that are dangerous to birds
Water
- A laying hen drinks roughly 250-500ml a day, more in heat
- Check and refresh daily; chickens will not drink water they consider dirty
- In frost, check twice a day or use a heated drinker
Feeding through the moult
Once a year most hens drop and regrow feathers, which takes a lot of protein. Laying usually stops for a few weeks.
- Switch to a higher-protein feed (or add a little scrambled egg, mealworms or sunflower seeds)
- Expect no eggs - this is normal, not a problem to fix
- Do not force it; the bird will resume laying when the feathers are back
How to tell you are getting it right
- Eggs: steady supply, well-formed shells
- Droppings: firm and brownish with a white cap
- Behaviour: active, curious, good feather condition
- Weight: the breastbone should not feel sharply prominent
Common questions
How much feed does a laying hen eat per day?
About 1/4 lb (110-120g) of layers pellets per bird per day, free-fed.
Do backyard chickens need grit?
Yes - it grinds fibrous food in the gizzard. Keep it in a separate dish, always available.
Can chickens eat kitchen scraps?
In moderation as a supplement. Avoid mouldy food, avocado, raw or green potato, and salty or oily leftovers.
Should you feed chickens in the evening?
Feeding late in the day helps in cold weather, because digesting generates heat overnight.
For the full beginner walkthrough - coop, breeds and the first 8 weeks: The First-Time Chicken Keeper's Checklist.
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