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Welcome to the world of backyard chickens, where one of the first questions on your mind is: What do chickens eat?
Whether you’re here because you like to keep feathered pets or you’re turning it into an egg-selling business, there’s one thing you need to know: what goes into your chickens’ beaks is just as important as the eggs that come out of them.
Feeding your chickens may sound as simple as tossing them some chicken feed and calling it a day, but it’s much more than that. Like any pet, they need a balanced diet to stay healthy and lay consistently.
In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of chicken nutrition, from daily diet to favorite snacks. Stick with us to have happy and healthy chickens!
What Should Chickens Eat Daily?
Feeding a chicken is quite simple, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep track of their diets and make sure they get all the nutrients needed. Here are a few basic options you need to check out:
Commercial Chicken Feed
This is the most reliable option for beginners because it’s formulated to give your chickens the right amount of protein, minerals, and vitamins. You’ll need different chicken feeds depending on the age of your chickens.
For baby chicks, who need more protein, starter feed is the best option. Selecting a quality starter feed like Manna Pro Chick Starter Grower ensures your chicks are off to a good start. That can be changed to grower feed when the chickens are young but not fully grown. Egg laying chickens need extra calcium to grow the egg, in which case, layer feed is ideal.
Chickens grown for meat should be fed broiler feed to give them extra muscles and growth. A well balanced feed will support the optimal production of eggs so don’t play fast and loose with these rules.
Grains
Some great grain supplements include corn, wheat, and barley. They’re full of carbohydrates and give your chickens the boost they need to cluck about all day. Feeding them some sort of grain once or twice a day should do the trick. But this is just an addition to an overall well-rounded diet, and you can’t depend on this alone.
Proteins
Protein is a must for energy, growth, and egg production. Commercial chicken feed does provide a good amount of that, but you can also try out natural proteins like mealworms and insects.
When it comes to laying hens, their diet needs to consist of 16-18% protein, so it’s not something to skip over. Try out these organic protein snacks to give your laying hens the extra protein they need.
Other Essentials to Remember
Chicken nutrition is a more serious matter than most people think. When it comes to essential items for chicken, you should consider these extras as the finishing layer of goodness on their food:
- Grit – The main purpose of grit is to help your chickens digest their food properly. Since chickens don’t have teeth, they rely on grit to break down their food and grind up all the grains. A few general types of grit to include in their food are natural grit (sand, pebbles, rocky soil), oyster shells, or used eggshells. This will increase their calcium intake and allow a smooth digestion process. Choose a trusted grit product, such as these crushed oyster shells, for optimal digestion. We use it as well, and with more than 11,000 5 star reviews on Amazon, it’s a really popular choice.
- Calcium – Chickens need to ingest an ample amount of calcium to make sure they lay strong eggshells. This vital nutrient can be found in oyster shells, limestone, eggshells, and bone. Without enough calcium, the egg laying will be affected. For consistent egg production, reliable calcium sources like fly grubs which have 85x the calcium of mealworms, are essential
- Healthy Treats – Chickens love treats just as much as us but you need to find a safe balance. Acceptable foods include watermelon, berries (with no seeds), and vegetables like spinach and carrots. These shouldn’t constitute more than 10% of a chicken’s diet. Even though it has immense health benefits, think of it as an occasional treat and not something that should be consumed on a daily basis.
- Water – This forgotten warrior is one of the most important intakes of a chicken. Like any other being, chickens need to stay fully hydrated and have good health. You need to monitor their water intake, and provide them clean and fresh water. Place water containers in different locations, and you can add electrolytes to the water in hot weather.
What To Avoid?
While there are several benefits from the variety of foods chickens consume, there are some things to be wary of, or completely avoid. Foods like green potatoes, avocados, and uncooked beans, chocolate, and caffeine are a complete no-go and could have fatal results.
Other treats like garlic, onions, and citrusy foods could cause minor health or internal issues. Garlic and onions affect the taste of the eggs produced and may also be harmful for the chicken’s health.
When it comes to citrus foods, they cause minor indigestion but some categories can be consumed with enough caution. Check out ‘Can Chickens eat Oranges?’ for more details.
Wrapping Up What Chickens Eat
Feeding chickens doesn’t have to be too complicated, you just need a well-balanced diet that covers the important nutrients. Initially, try to remember what a chicken can and can’t eat so that you don’t fall into unwanted health issues.
Start with the essentials like Starter Feed and Crushed Oyster Shells to build a solid foundation for your flock.
But aside from that, a schedule to keep check on their food intake and feeding them at the right time is the trick to a good diet and healthy life. Of course, you can’t forget fresh water! So if you’re ever wondering ‘what do chickens eat’, just follow these simple steps and tricks to give your feathered buddies a happy life.
Common Questions About What Chickens Eat
Q: What is the best way to feed chickens a balanced diet as a beginner?
A: Feeding chickens a balanced diet may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s easy to start with high-quality commercial feed designed for each stage of growth. For chicks, look for starter feed that’s rich in protein to support growth. As chickens mature, switch to layer feed for hens or broiler feed for meat chickens, each formulated for specific nutritional needs. These feeds take the guesswork out of diet management, giving your flock a healthy start!
Q: How can I make sure my chickens get enough calcium for egg laying?
A: For strong eggshells, it’s essential to include a steady source of calcium in your chickens’ diet. Oyster shells and crushed eggshells are popular supplements to sprinkle over their feed or place in a separate dish. Providing oyster shells here can simplify this process. Additionally, calcium-rich treats, like certain leafy greens, are beneficial in moderation but should never replace a well-balanced feed.
Q: Is it safe to give my chickens kitchen scraps as treats?
A: Yes, but with some caution. Chickens love treats, and scraps can supplement their diet, but beginners should avoid harmful foods like green potatoes, avocados, uncooked beans, and anything with caffeine or chocolate. Sticking to safe treats, such as watermelon, berries, spinach, and carrots in small amounts, keeps your flock happy without risking their health.
