Feeding chickens well is mostly about getting the basics right and not overthinking the treats.
A complete feed does most of the work
The backbone of any healthy flock is a good-quality complete feed, matched to the birds' age. It is formulated to give them the right balance of protein, vitamins and minerals, so you do not have to work it out yourself.
- Chick starter (from hatching to around 6 weeks) — high in protein for fast early growth.
- Grower or pullet feed (roughly 6 to 18 weeks) — slightly lower protein for steady development.
- Layer feed or pellets (from point of lay, about 18 weeks) — with added calcium to build strong eggshells.
The switch to layer feed matters: giving it too early, before hens are laying, means more calcium than growing birds need, whilst leaving it too late can weaken the first shells. See when hens start laying for the timing.
Foraging, greens and treats
Chickens are natural omnivores and love to forage. Given space, they will happily hunt for insects, worms, seeds and fresh greens, which adds variety and keeps them busy. This is normal, healthy behaviour and a big part of why they are such enjoyable birds to keep.
Treats are fine in moderation — think kitchen scraps, fruit, leafy veg and the ever-popular mealworms. The golden rule is that treats and scraps should make up no more than about 10% of the diet. The other 90% should be their complete feed, so they do not fill up on tidbits and miss the nutrition they actually need.
Water, grit and calcium
Three extras round out the diet:
- Fresh water, always — chickens drink far more than people expect, and a hen cannot make eggs without it. Check and refill daily, and more often in hot weather.
- Grit — small hard stones the birds swallow. It sits in the gizzard and grinds up food, since chickens have no teeth. Offer it in a separate pot so they take what they need.
- Extra calcium — laying hens benefit from crushed oyster shell or their own baked, crushed eggshell, offered separately from the feed. It tops up what layer pellets provide and keeps shells firm.
Keeping treats sensible
It is easy to over-treat chickens because they come running so enthusiastically, but a flock fed too many scraps lays worse and can put on unhealthy weight. Keep treats occasional, scatter them so the birds have to forage, and avoid anything mouldy, very salty or heavily processed. When in doubt, the safest choice is always their proper feed. If you are unsure whether a particular food is safe, check before offering it, and ask a vet or experienced keeper about anything that worries you.
Foods to avoid
Most kitchen leftovers are fine in moderation, but a few everyday foods are genuinely unsafe and should never reach the run:
- Avocado — the flesh, skin and stone contain persin, which is toxic to chickens. See can chickens eat avocado.
- Onions and the allium family — garlic, leeks and shallots contain thiosulphate, which can damage a bird's red blood cells.
- Green or raw potato — the green parts and sprouts contain solanine, which is poisonous.
- Anything mouldy or very salty — both can make chickens seriously ill.
It is also worth going easy on empty foods like bread, which fill birds up without feeding them properly. When you are unsure about a food, always check before offering it rather than risking it.