How To Feed Chickens

How To Feed Chickens

Feeding chickens properly is essential for their health, wellbeing and productivity. While hens enjoy pecking at leftovers and foraging in the garden, they still need a balanced and nutritious diet to stay in good condition and lay regularly. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how to feed chickens, from the right types of feed and grit to the equipment you’ll need for feeding and watering safely.

Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or just want to make sure you’re doing things right, here are the key things to know.

Feed chickens a complete layers feed for daily nutrition

The best foundation for feeding hens is a commercial layers feed, which is specially formulated to meet their nutritional needs. It contains the right balance of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals to support good health, strong eggshells and consistent laying.

Layers feed comes in either pellets or mash, depending on preference. Most backyard keepers choose pellets as they’re easier to store and less likely to be wasted. Mash is a finer, meal-like feed which some hens enjoy more, but it can be messier.

Always check the protein content on the label – most layers pellets contain around 16% protein, which is ideal for laying hens. During moulting or recovery, birds may benefit from higher-protein feeds like growers pellets (usually around 18–20%).

Feed should be made available throughout the day in a clean, dry feeder. Don’t just scatter it on the ground, as this can attract pests and encourage mould. Use a proper feeder with a rain cover to keep the food fresh and prevent waste.

Offer mixed corn only as a treat

Mixed corn is a popular extra feed, made up of mostly wheat with a bit of cracked maize. It’s tasty, inexpensive and great for scattering around the run to encourage foraging and activity.

However, it’s not suitable as a main feed. Mixed corn is low in protein and high in energy – too much can lead to fat hens and fewer eggs. It’s best offered late in the day, after hens have eaten their pellets, and only in small amounts.

A handful per bird is plenty, and it can be especially useful in cold weather to help them keep warm overnight.

Provide greens and forage, but skip the kitchen scraps

Chickens benefit from fresh greens like cabbage leaves, broccoli trimmings, or dandelion leaves. These provide enrichment and variety, and many hens love pecking at suspended cabbages or bunches of leafy greens.

However, DEFRA rules prohibit feeding kitchen scraps from domestic kitchens due to food safety risks. While this may feel restrictive, it helps prevent contamination and disease. Stick to fresh greens that haven’t entered your kitchen, or buy vegetable offcuts specifically for your hens.

Never feed avocado, which is toxic to chickens, and avoid lettuce, which has little nutritional value and can cause diarrhoea.

For a full list of plants that are toxic to chickens, see our guide to poisonous plants for chickens.

Don’t forget poultry grit

Since chickens don’t have teeth, they rely on grit to grind up food in their gizzards. Without it, they can’t digest properly, which leads to poor health and reduced egg production.

There are two types of grit:

• Insoluble grit (flint grit) helps grind food
• Oyster shell grit provides calcium for strong eggshells

You can buy mixed poultry grit that includes both, or offer them separately. Place grit in a small dish or dispenser in the run, and hens will take what they need.

Provide clean, fresh water at all times

Clean water is just as important as feed. Chickens drink more than you might expect – especially in warm weather – and if their water runs out or becomes dirty, it can quickly affect their health and laying.

Use a proper poultry drinker rather than a bowl. This keeps the water clean and prevents hens from stepping in it, tipping it over, or filling it with bedding.

Make sure waterers are kept out of direct sunlight in summer (to avoid algae) and checked daily in winter in case they freeze. In cold weather, bringing them indoors overnight or using an anti-freeze stand can help.

Feeding equipment: what you’ll need

Here’s a basic list of what to buy when setting up your feeding and watering system. You can feed all of these at Amazon.co.uk by clicking the links.

• Layers feed (pellets or mash)
• Mixed corn for occasional treats
• Poultry grit (ideally a mix of flint and oyster shell)
• Feeder – with a lid or rain cover to keep food dry
• Drinker – raised or covered to keep water clean
• Storage bin – to keep feed protected from damp and rodents
• Optional: treat ball or hanging cabbage holder for greens

Feeding tips for healthy hens

• Feed layers pellets ad lib – let hens eat when they want throughout the day
• Offer treats like corn and greens in moderation
• Keep feed areas clean to discourage rats, mice and wild birds
• Clean feeders and drinkers weekly with warm water and poultry-safe disinfectant
• Store feed in a sealed container in a cool, dry place

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Feeding chickens properly isn’t complicated, but getting it right makes all the difference. With the right feed, equipment and routine, you’ll have happy, healthy hens that reward you with tasty, fresh eggs and years of enjoyment.