If you’re new to raising chickens, one of the most common questions is: “What is the best feed for chickens?” Many people look for ways to save money on chicken feed, but when you break it down, raising backyard chickens can cost more than just buying eggs from the store. However, you and I both know that nothing beats fresh farm eggs!.
“Am I doing this for more than just the eggs?” was the first question I had to answer. The clear answer was “yes!” Our chickens are more than just egg layers—they’re pets and part of the family.
As a mom, knowing we’re feeding our bodies with natural, high-quality food matters. Even though we don’t always get it right, giving our chickens a healthy, well-balanced diet is important for their health and the eggs they lay, which in turn affects our family’s health.
Raising chickens starts with feeding them the right diet. There are so many kinds of chicken feed out there that it can be hard to figure out which is best for your flock.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to choose the best chicken feed. We’ll look at:
- Key factors to consider when choosing chicken feed
- Nutrition needs of chickens at different life stages
- Types of chicken feed and their key differences
- Reviews of the top-rated chicken feeds on the market
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Chicken Feed
When evaluating chicken feed here are the most important factors to look for
Quality of Ingredients
The quality of ingredients directly impacts the nutritional value of the feed. Prioritize feeds made with high-quality proteins healthy fats digestible carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. Avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.
Chicken’s Life Stage
Chickens have different nutritional needs depending on their age and whether they are layers. Choose feeds formulated specifically for starting chicks, growing pullets, mature hens, and laying hens.
Organic and Non-GMO Certification
Opt for certified organic, non-GMO feeds to avoid pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics, and GMOs that can compromise your chickens’ health.
Texture and Form
Consider your chickens’ preferences and ability to eat different textures. Chicks do best on crumbles they can easily eat. Hens often prefer pellets to minimize waste.
Price and Package Size
Find out how much it costs per pound and buy bigger bags to save the most money. But don’t buy more than you can use before it goes bad.
Nutrition Needs By Chicken Life Stage
To pick the right feed, you need to understand what nutrients chickens need at different ages:
Baby Chicks
- 18-20% protein – for proper growth and development
- Vitamins and minerals – for immunity, bone strength, and digestion
- Small crumble texture – easy for chicks to eat
Pullets/Adolescents
- 16% protein – for growth to laying age
- Calcium – for developing egg shells
- Vitamins – for continued immunity and health
Laying Hens
- 16% protein – for egg production
- Calcium – for egg shell strength
- Nutrient-dense – to support high productivity
Mature/Senior Chickens
- 14-16% protein – decreased needs as productivity declines
- Calcium – continues to support egg shells
- Nutrient-dense – prevents deficiencies
Types of Chicken Feed and Key Differences
Beyond basic chicken feed, you have choices when it comes to texture and formulation. Here’s an overview:
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Starter feed – High protein feed for chicks up to 8 weeks old. Offered as medicated or non-medicated.
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Grower feed – Fed to pullets from 8 – 18 weeks old to support growth and development.
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Layer feed – Formulated for hens over 18 weeks for optimal egg production. Higher in calcium.
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Scratch – Whole grains chickens scratch through. Not nutritionally complete. Offer as a supplement.
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Mash – Finely ground feed. Best for chicks under 10 weeks who can’t eat large pieces.
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Pellets – Feed compressed into pellets to minimize waste. Avoid for chicks under 10 weeks.
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Crumbles – A mash feed processed into crumbles, suitable for all ages. Reduces waste.
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Organic – Made from certified organic ingredients grown without chemicals. Avoid GMOs.
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Non-GMO – Not genetically modified. Look for third-party verification.
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Medicated – Contains medicine to prevent common diseases like coccidiosis. Should not be fed routinely.
Reviews of the Top-Rated Chicken Feeds
Now that you know what to look for, let’s review some of the top-rated chicken feed products on the market today:
1. Manna Pro Chick Starter Medicated Feed
- Medicated starter feed with Amprolium for coccidiosis protection
- 18% protein from natural sources
- Crumbled texture easy for baby chicks
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Budget-friendly for starting flocks
2. Purina Organic Layer Feed
- Formulated specifically for laying hens
- 16% protein from all organic sources
- Optimal calcium levels for egg shell strength
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics for gut health
- Soy-free and non-GMO
3. Scratch and Peck Organic Chicken Feed
- Family-farmed organic whole grains
- Non-GMO certified and soy-free
- 16% protein from diverse protein sources
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Excellent quality at a reasonable price
4. Kalmbach Feeds Organic Layer Pellets
- 17% protein from high-quality natural ingredients
- Enhanced with amino acids and omega oils
- Probiotics support digestive health
- Hardened pellets to reduce waste
- No soy, fillers, or artificial ingredients
5. Nutrena NatureWise Feather Fixer
- Natural plant-based proteins to regrow feathers
- Added probiotics for better nutrient absorption
- Pellet formula to prevent selective feeding
- Free of GMOs, antibiotics, and animal fats
- Specifically formulated for rough molts
The Bottom Line
When choosing the best chicken feed, let your chickens’ nutritional needs and life stage guide you. Seek out quality ingredients and aim for certified organic and non-GMO when possible. Stick to well-known reputable brands that offer options for every stage from chick to senior hen.
With so many high-quality chicken feeds like the ones reviewed above, you can keep your flock in top health, maintain egg production, and skip common deficiencies. Follow these tips and look for a feed that matches your chickens’ current life stage and needs.
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Choosing the Right Feed for Your Chickens
I’m not an animal nutritionist, so this is just my perspective on feeding chickens. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and if you have a system that works for you, stick with it!.
When we get our baby chicks, we start them on non-medicated crumble. To get them to eat and improve their digestive health in the first few weeks of life, I use First Peep from the Baby Chick Care Kit. I prefer non-medicated feed because the Strong Animals products offer the same benefits as medicated feed, but with a natural approach using probiotics, prebiotics and essential oils.
Transitioning to Layer Feed
As the chicks near egg-laying age, we switch them to layer crumble. While some people use pellets, we’ve found that our girls prefer the crumble. My husband accidentally bought pellets once, and while they ate it, they were a little picky about it! The nutritional value is the same; it’s just the shape that makes a difference.
We also always give the flock crushed oysters and grit, which is important for their digestion and the health of their eggs.
5 Things To Feed Your Chickens So They Lay Eggs All Year
FAQ
Which chicken feed is best?
Our Editor’s Choice, the Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed, ranks at the top. It’s organic, non GMO and is packed with mealworms containing all the nutrition your chickens need to lay delicious, healthy eggs. In our chicken feed reviews we share seven other popular products.
Which chicken feed is best for laying hens?
Omega 3 and calcium are top contenders for ensuring healthy eggs & shells, so Manna Pro Oyster Shell, Scratch and Peck Feeds, Kaytee Laying Hen Diet & Brown’s Layer Booster Daily Diet Chicken Feed are all superb options to consider. Prairie’s Choice contains the calcium, fiber and protein that young chicks require.
What type of chicken feed should I Feed my chicks?
Leading brands of chicken feed provide appropriate nutritional value depending on the age of your chicks. A starter feed includes 18% proteins for strong muscles and helps small chicks gain weight. Layer feeds contain a 16% protein content for hens. TIP.
How do I choose the best chicken feed?
The feed has the right nutrients, minimum 16% protein, and a good calcium ratio that your chickens need to produce strong, large eggs. Always look at the ingredients and the nutritional analysis on the pack to ensure your flock is getting the best nutrients.
What is the best chicken feed for a mixed flock?
As a feed for a mixed flock, a broad spectrum of vitamins will keep young chicks strong and healthy through the different growth stages. Its combination of probiotics, vitamins, and amino acids will help young hens grow into healthy adult chickens. The Kalmbach Layer Feed wins the category of top chicken feed for hens!.
Is chicken feed good for hens?
It’s a fantastic calcium source, helping to build healthy chickens and hardy, strong egg shells. It takes a hen hours to make an eggshell, which is mostly calcium carbonate. This chicken feed will make sure your hen gets what it needs to lay an egg.
What is the healthiest thing to feed your chickens?
… To Feed Chickens. A balanced diet for chickens includes layer feed, grass, bugs from the yard, and treats like fresh fruit and vegetable scraps (Apr 30, 2025).
What’s the best type of feed for chickens?
That being said, chickens love salad greens, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cooked rice, quinoa, oats, cooked pasta, meat scraps (yes, even chicken scraps–they don’t know the difference), cheese, ice cream, canned cat or dog food, fish, beans, peas, corn, cereal (avoid the high-sugar cereals).
What do the Amish feed their chickens?
Amish chickens are usually fed natural foods that come from their own area. This includes grains like corn and soybeans, as well as vegetable scraps, wild plants that can be eaten, and even some insects. They prioritize a varied diet to ensure the chickens get a range of nutrients.
What do you feed chickens for best tasting eggs?
High-Quality Grains: Whole grains like oats, barley, and corn contribute to better-tasting eggs. Protein Sources: Mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, or high-protein feed support overall health and egg quality.