Why does feed type matter?
Chicks, growing birds, laying hens and meat birds each need a different balance of nutrients. Feeding the wrong kind can slow growth, weaken shells or cause health problems. Commercial complete feeds are designed so that birds get a balanced diet from the feed itself.
Look at the tag on any bag. It tells you the intended use, the life stage and the guaranteed analysis. Your extension office and your feed store can help you match feed to your birds, and your vet can help if a bird has special needs.
Complete feed also saves guesswork. If you add grains, scraps or homemade mixes, you can easily unbalance the diet without noticing, which is why many beginners start with a complete commercial feed and add extras slowly.
What do different life stages need?
Chicks need a starter feed with the nutrition for fast early growth. Growing pullets move to a grower or developer feed. Laying hens need a layer feed that supports egg production and shell quality. Meat birds have their own formulations designed for fast growth.
Switch feeds at the age or point the feed tag and your extension guidance recommend. Switching too early or too late can cause problems. Medicated feeds exist for some uses, so read the label carefully and ask your vet whether one fits your situation.
If you are unsure when to switch, ask the hatchery or your extension office at the time you buy, and write the planned dates on a calendar.
- Starter for young chicks
- Grower or developer for young birds
- Layer feed once hens approach laying
- Meat bird feed for broilers, per the tag
What are grit and calcium, and who needs them?
Chickens have no teeth, so they grind food in a muscular gizzard with the help of small stones, called grit. Birds that eat only complete feed may need little, while birds that eat whole grains, greens or scraps generally benefit from access to grit.
Laying hens need a source of calcium for shells. Many keepers offer a separate calcium source, free choice, alongside layer feed. Do not give extra calcium to young birds or non-laying birds without advice from your vet or extension office.
Watch eggshells. Thin, soft or rough shells can signal a calcium, feed or health issue, and a conversation with your vet or extension office can sort out the cause.
Can I feed kitchen scraps and treats?
Treats are fine in small amounts, but too many dilute the nutrition of complete feed. Keep treats to a small share of the diet. Some foods are harmful to birds, and moldy or spoiled food should never be fed.
Ask your extension office or vet for a list of foods to avoid. Also check local rules about feeding kitchen scraps to poultry, since some places restrict certain scraps for disease-control reasons, and rules vary by state.
How should I store and serve feed?
Store feed in sturdy, sealed containers that keep out moisture, rodents and insects. Damp or moldy feed can make birds sick, so toss any that smells off, clumps or looks moldy. Buy amounts you can use within a reasonable time, since feed loses quality as it ages.
Use feeders that limit waste and keep droppings out. Place them at about the height of the birds' backs, and give enough feeder space that every bird can eat. Spilled feed attracts rodents and wild birds.
Keep feed bins clean between refills, since old crumbs at the bottom can grow mold even when the new feed is fine.
How important is water?
Birds drink a lot, and a bird without clean water stops eating and laying quickly. Provide fresh water at all times, in containers that stay clean and cannot be tipped. Check twice a day in extreme weather.
In freezing weather, keep water from freezing. In hot weather, keep it in the shade so it stays cool. Clean waterers often, since slime and algae build up and can spread disease.
Heated or fresh water in cold weather encourages drinking, and birds that drink well eat well.
How do I budget for feed?
Feed is a recurring cost, so think of it in categories: the main feed, grit and calcium, treats, and containers for storage. Prices vary by region and season, so check local suppliers rather than trusting a figure from elsewhere.
Track what you buy and how long it lasts. A simple log of bags per month shows your true cost and helps spot problems such as waste, rodent loss or a drop in appetite that might signal illness.
Key takeaways
- Match feed to the age and purpose of your birds.
- Offer grit where birds eat anything other than complete feed.
- Give laying hens a calcium source and keep treats small.
- Store feed dry and sealed and throw out moldy feed.
- Provide clean water at all times and track feed costs.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.