About feeding a chicken
Backyard chickens are omnivorous foragers, and the key to feeding them well is matching a complete feed to their life stage — chick starter, grower, then layer feed — while keeping treats and scratch to a small share so they don't dilute their nutrition.
How much should a chicken eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.5 for a typical chicken at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 1 kg | 105 kcal |
| 1.571 kg | 147 kcal |
| 2.143 kg | 186 kcal |
| 2.714 kg | 222 kcal |
| 3.286 kg | 256 kcal |
| 3.857 kg | 289 kcal |
| 4.429 kg | 321 kcal |
| 5 kg | 351 kcal |
What to feed
Chickens should get a complete age-appropriate feed as the staple: starter for chicks, grower for adolescents, and layer feed (with added calcium for eggshells) for laying hens. Scratch grains, kitchen scraps and treats should stay under about 10% of intake. Grit is needed for birds that eat anything beyond formulated feed.
How often to feed
Feed is usually available free-choice during daylight; hens self-regulate reasonably well on balanced layer feed. Provide constant fresh water and supplemental oyster shell for layers.
Common feeding mistakes
- Too much scratch/corn and kitchen scraps, unbalancing the diet.
- Feeding layer feed to chicks (too much calcium) or starter to layers (too little).
- No grit for birds eating whole grains or forage.
- Insufficient calcium for laying hens, causing thin shells.
Weight & health
Obesity (in over-treated hens), fatty liver, and poor eggshell quality are common feed-related issues. A complete life-stage feed with limited treats and free-choice oyster shell for layers keeps a flock productive and healthy.
Frequently asked questions
How much do chickens eat per day?
A standard laying hen eats roughly 100-150 g of feed a day. Free-choice complete feed lets hens self-regulate; adjust for breed size, activity and weather.
What should I feed laying hens?
A complete layer feed with added calcium as the staple, plus free-choice oyster shell for strong shells. Keep scratch grains and scraps to a small share of the diet.
Can chickens eat kitchen scraps?
In moderation — under about 10% of the diet — and avoiding anything mouldy, very salty, or toxic (like avocado and raw dried beans). Scraps shouldn't replace complete feed.
Do chickens need grit?
Yes, if they eat anything beyond formulated crumble or pellets. Insoluble grit helps them grind whole grains and forage in the gizzard. Layers also need soluble calcium (oyster shell).