Good feed is the single biggest driver of healthy birds and full egg baskets. The basics are simple: a complete feed for their life stage, clean water, and grit.
Feed by life stage
- Chick starter (0–6 weeks): high-protein (18–20%) crumble. Use medicated starter if your chicks aren’t vaccinated for coccidiosis.
- Grower (6–18 weeks): slightly lower protein (~16–18%). Don’t feed layer feed yet — the extra calcium harms young kidneys.
- Layer feed (18 weeks / first egg onward): ~16% protein with added calcium for strong shells.
Don’t skip these
- Grit — small stones birds need to grind food. Essential once they eat anything besides starter crumble.
- Oyster shell — offered free-choice, lets layers top up calcium as needed.
- Fresh water — a hen drinks ~500 ml a day, and egg production drops fast without it.
Treats — in moderation
Scratch grains, vegetable scraps, and mealworms are fine as under 10% of the diet. Too many treats dilute the balanced feed and slow laying.
Never feed
Avocado (pit and skin), raw or dried beans, anything moldy, chocolate, heavily salted or sugary foods, and rhubarb leaves. These range from mildly harmful to toxic.
Rule of thumb: if a complete feed makes up 90%+ of the diet, you rarely go wrong. Match breeds to your goals with the Breed Finder.