Good feeding begins with a nutritionally complete ration that matches the bird’s age and purpose. The goal is consistent nutrient intake—not simply providing the greatest possible number of ingredients.
Begin With a Complete Feed
A labelled complete poultry ration is formulated to provide energy, amino acids, vitamins and minerals in suitable proportions.
For most backyard flocks, complete feed should provide approximately 90% or more of what the birds consume.
Adding large quantities of grain, seed, scraps or mealworms does not necessarily improve the ration. Instead, these additions can dilute:
- Protein
- Essential amino acids
- Calcium
- Vitamins
- Trace minerals
This can happen even when the extra ingredients appear healthy.
Match the Feed to the Bird’s Life Stage
Chicks
Use a chick starter formulated for the species and age of the chicks.
Depending on the product and your management program, chick starter may be medicated to help control coccidiosis. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and do not combine medications without professional advice.
Growers and Pullets
Growing birds need a grower or developer ration. This supports steady skeletal, muscle and feather development without supplying the excessive calcium found in most layer feeds.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended age for changing from chick starter to grower feed.
Laying Hens
Active laying hens need a complete layer feed containing the appropriate balance of:
- Protein and amino acids
- Energy
- Calcium
- Available phosphorus
- Vitamin D
- Other vitamins and trace minerals
Coarse shell grit can be offered separately where appropriate.
Roosters and Mixed-Age Flocks
A flock containing roosters, non-laying hens, pullets and active layers can be difficult to feed with one conventional layer ration.
An appropriate all-flock ration may be suitable, with a separate calcium source offered for laying hens. However, the correct arrangement depends on the product and flock, so consult the manufacturer or a poultry nutritionist.
Breeding Flocks
Where available, choose a complete breeder ration formulated to support:
- Egg production
- Fertility
- Shell quality
- Embryonic development
- Chick strength
- Hen and rooster condition
A standard layer feed may maintain laying hens, but a breeder ration can provide more targeted nutritional support where hatchability is important.
Pellets, Micro-Pellets, Crumbles, Mash and Grain Mixes
The physical form matters less than whether the product is nutritionally complete and whether the chickens consume every part of it.
Pellets
Pellets can reduce sorting and feed wastage. They are generally easy to store and allow chickens to consume a consistent ration.
Some chickens accustomed to loose grain may initially resist pellets. Introduce the new ration gradually rather than allowing the flock to avoid balanced feed indefinitely.
Micro-Pellets and Crumbles
Smaller pellets and crumbles are useful for:
- Bantams
- Young birds
- Chickens that struggle with large pellets
- Flocks transitioning from mash or grain
Mash and Fine Feed
Mash can provide a consistent ration when properly manufactured, but fine particles may settle to the bottom of the feeder.
If birds leave the powder behind, they may also be leaving concentrated vitamins, minerals and protein ingredients.
Minimise this problem by:
- Using suitable feeders
- Avoiding overfilling
- Preventing birds from billing feed onto the ground
- Slightly dampening only the amount that will be eaten promptly
- Never leaving wet feed to ferment accidentally or spoil
Grain-Based Layer Feed
A grain-based feed can be nutritionally complete if it has been correctly formulated and every component is consumed.
A plain scratch or foraging mix is not the same as complete layer feed.
Do Chickens Need Dietary Variety?
Chickens need nutritional completeness more than visual variety.
Foraging and small safe treats can provide excellent enrichment. However, chickens do not require multiple competing feeds to remain healthy when their complete ration already supplies the required nutrients.
Offering several feeds at once may encourage selective eating. Birds may choose high-energy grains and leave less appealing nutrient-rich components behind.
Calcium and Shell Grit
Laying hens need adequate calcium for:
- Eggshell formation
- Bone health
- Muscle function
- Nerve function
However, excessive calcium is not beneficial to every bird. Young chicks and growing pullets should not routinely consume a high-calcium layer ration.
Offer coarse shell grit separately where appropriate so actively laying hens can regulate their intake.
Insoluble Grit
Shell grit supplies calcium but may not provide the same grinding function as hard insoluble grit.
Confined chickens consuming whole grains, fibrous plants or other coarse material may need access to suitable insoluble grit. Chickens consuming only properly processed complete pellets or crumbles may have less need for additional grinding material.
Water Is an Essential Nutrient
Fresh, clean and cool water must be available continuously.
Feed intake and laying can decline rapidly when water is:
- Empty
- Dirty
- Overheated
- Blocked
- Guarded by dominant birds
- Contaminated with algae or droppings
Clean drinkers thoroughly rather than simply topping them up. Place additional drinkers in large or socially mixed flocks.
Treats and Kitchen Scraps
Keep treats and scraps to approximately 10% or less of the flock’s intake.
Offer extras after the chickens have consumed their complete feed.
Avoid:
- Mouldy feed
- Spoiled scraps
- Highly salty food
- Excessive bread
- Large quantities of scratch grain
- Sugary and heavily processed food
Remove uneaten scraps before they ferment, become mouldy or attract rodents.
Changing Feed Safely
Sudden diet changes can cause reduced intake and loose droppings.
Where practical, transition gradually:
- Begin with mostly the previous feed and a small amount of the new ration.
- Increase the new ration over several days.
- Monitor appetite and droppings.
- Confirm that every bird can reach the feeder.
- Remove stale or rejected feed rather than continually topping it up.
How to Tell Whether a Feed Is Working
Monitor:
- Body condition
- Weight
- Feather quality
- Dropping consistency
- Shell strength
- Egg numbers
- Fertility
- Hatchability
- Feed consumption
- Feed wastage
A decline in laying is not automatically caused by feed. Other possible causes include:
- Age
- Reduced daylight
- Moult
- Broodiness
- Heat stress
- Illness
- Parasites
- Social stress
- Limited water
Protein percentage should not be considered in isolation. A feed containing more crude protein is not automatically better if its amino-acid, energy, vitamin and mineral balance is unsuitable.