What to Feed Backyard Chickens

Feeding backyard chickens a complete and balanced diet is fundamental to ensuring their health, egg production, and overall well-being. As a veterinary professional, I emphasize that nutrition is the cornerstone of preventive care in poultry. Whether you are a new flock owner or an experienced keeper, understanding the specific nutritional requirements of your chickens at each life stage is essential. This article provides a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to feeding backyard chickens, covering layer feed, grit, calcium supplementation, appropriate treats, and foods to avoid.

Quick Q&A

Question: What is the single most important component of a backyard chicken’s diet? Answer: A nutritionally complete, age-appropriate commercial feed (e.g., starter, grower, or layer feed) is the foundation of a healthy diet. For laying hens, a complete layer feed provides the precise balance of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals needed for egg production and overall health.

The Foundation: Commercial Poultry Feed

The most reliable way to meet a chicken’s nutritional needs is to feed a high-quality, commercially formulated feed. These feeds are developed by animal nutritionists to meet the specific requirements of poultry at different life stages. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that a complete feed should constitute the majority of the diet, ideally 90% or more [1].

Starter Feed (0-8 weeks)

Chick starter is a high-protein feed (typically 18-20% crude protein) designed to support rapid growth and feather development. It is usually offered as a crumble or a fine mash. Medicated starter feeds contain a coccidiostat to help prevent coccidiosis, a common and potentially fatal parasitic disease in young chicks. Non-medicated options are available for flocks raised without any medications. Always provide fresh, clean water alongside starter feed.

Grower Feed (8-18 weeks)

As chicks transition to adolescence, their protein requirements decrease slightly. Grower feed typically contains 15-16% protein. This feed helps support continued growth and skeletal development without promoting excessive fat deposition. Some keepers continue feeding starter until point of lay, but switching to a grower feed is generally recommended to prevent obesity and reproductive issues later in life.

Layer Feed (18+ weeks or at onset of lay)

Once hens begin laying (around 16-20 weeks of age, depending on breed), they should be transitioned to a complete layer feed. Layer feed is formulated with higher calcium levels (typically 3.5-4.5%) to support eggshell formation. The protein content is usually around 16-18%. The feed is typically available as a crumble or pellet. Pellets reduce waste and prevent selective eating, where birds pick out only preferred ingredients.

Important note: Never feed layer feed to chicks or growing pullets. The high calcium content can cause kidney damage and other health problems in immature birds.

The Role of Grit

Chickens do not have teeth. They rely on a muscular organ called the gizzard to grind food. Grit consists of small, insoluble stones or coarse sand that the bird ingests and stores in its gizzard. This grit acts as the grinding mechanism, breaking down whole grains, seeds, and fibrous plant material.

When to Provide Grit

• For birds on a commercial complete feed only: Most commercial feeds are highly digestible and do not require additional grit for mechanical breakdown. However, if birds have access to pasture, forage, or are given whole grains, treats, or scratch grains, insoluble grit is essential.
• For birds on a forage-based or mixed diet: Provide a separate dish of insoluble grit (e.g., granite grit or crushed oyster shell specifically labeled as poultry grit) free-choice. The birds will consume it as needed.

Soluble vs. Insoluble Grit

• Insoluble grit (granite, flint): Used for mechanical digestion in the gizzard. Does not dissolve.
• Soluble grit (oyster shell, limestone): Primarily a calcium source. While it provides some grinding action, its main purpose is to supplement calcium for eggshell formation. It should be offered separately, not as a replacement for insoluble grit.

Calcium Supplementation

Calcium is critical for laying hens. A deficiency leads to thin-shelled, soft-shelled, or shell-less eggs, and can cause egg binding or reproductive tract disorders. Conversely, excessive calcium (especially in non-laying birds) can be harmful.

How to Provide Calcium

• Via complete layer feed: The primary calcium source should be the balanced commercial layer feed.
• Supplemental calcium: Provide a separate dish of crushed oyster shell or limestone grit free-choice. This allows hens to self-regulate their calcium intake based on their individual needs (e.g., a hen laying daily will consume more than a hen that is not laying). Do not mix calcium supplements into the feed, as this can lead to overconsumption.

Clinical note: According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines for backyard poultry, providing free-choice calcium in the form of oyster shell is a safe and recommended practice for laying hens [2].

Treats: What Is Safe and Healthy?

Treats can be a wonderful way to enrich your chickens’ lives, encourage foraging behaviour, and provide variety. However, they should never exceed 10% of the total diet. Overfeeding treats dilutes the nutritional value of the complete feed and can lead to obesity, nutritional imbalances, and reduced egg production.

Safe and Nutritious Treats

• Vegetables: Leafy greens (kale, spinach, lettuce), cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, cooked pumpkin, and squash. These provide vitamins and hydration.
• Fruits: Berries (strawberries, blueberries), melon, apples (without seeds), bananas, and grapes. Offer in moderation due to sugar content.
• Grains and Seeds: Cooked oatmeal, whole corn (especially in winter for extra energy), sunflower seeds (in moderation), and millet.
• Protein Sources: Mealworms (dried or live), black soldier fly larvae, scrambled eggs (cooked, no salt), and small amounts of plain yogurt. These are excellent during molting or for broody hens.
• Herbs: Oregano (natural antimicrobial), parsley, mint, and basil.

How to Offer Treats

• Scatter feeding: Toss treats into the run or on the ground to encourage natural scratching and foraging behaviour.
• Hanging feeders: Use a hanging treat ball or skewer for enrichment.
• Fermented feed: Soaking whole grains or feed in water for 24-48 hours creates a probiotic-rich treat that improves digestibility.

Foods to Avoid (Toxic or Harmful)

Several common foods are toxic to chickens and must be strictly avoided. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) both highlight the dangers of certain feed items in backyard poultry [3,4].

Toxic Foods

• Avocado (skin and pit): Contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause respiratory distress, weakness, and sudden death in birds.
• Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to chickens and can cause cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death.
• Raw or dried beans (e.g., kidney beans, navy beans): Contain phytohemagglutinin (lectin), which is highly toxic even in small amounts. Cooking destroys the toxin, but it is safest to avoid all beans.
• Onions and garlic (in large quantities): Contain thiosulfate, which can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells). Small amounts as flavoring are generally safe, but avoid feeding whole bulbs or large amounts.
• Rhubarb leaves: Contain oxalic acid, which can cause kidney failure and calcium deficiency.
• Potato peels and green potatoes: Contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid that is toxic to chickens.
• Moldy or spoiled food: Can contain mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin), which cause liver damage, immunosuppression, and death.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

• Salty foods: High sodium can cause electrolyte imbalances, excessive thirst, and kidney damage.
• Sugary treats: Candy, soda, and baked goods offer no nutritional value and contribute to obesity.
• Dairy products (in excess): While small amounts of yogurt are fine, large amounts of milk or cheese can cause diarrhoea (diarrhea) due to lactose intolerance.
• Citrus fruits (in large amounts): May interfere with calcium absorption and cause shell quality issues.
• Raw meat or fish: Can carry pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, and may attract pests.

Feeding for Specific Life Stages and Conditions

Molting Hens

During molt (annual feather loss and regrowth), hens require higher protein (20-22%) to support feather production. Supplement with high-protein treats like mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, or a high-protein game bird feed temporarily.

Broody Hens

Broody hens may eat less. Ensure they have access to fresh water and a balanced feed. If they refuse to eat, offer tempting, nutrient-dense treats like scrambled eggs or mealworms to prevent weight loss.

Winter Feeding

In cold weather, chickens need more energy to maintain body temperature. Increase their feed intake slightly and offer scratch grains (whole corn) in the late afternoon. The heat generated during digestion helps keep them warm overnight. Ensure water sources do not freeze.

Summer Feeding

In hot weather, chickens eat less. Provide feed during the cooler parts of the day. Offer hydrating treats like watermelon, cucumber, and leafy greens. Ensure constant access to cool, fresh water.

Water: The Most Critical Nutrient

While not a feed, water is the single most essential nutrient. A chicken can survive days without food but only hours without water in hot conditions. Dehydration leads to rapid decline in egg production, kidney damage, and death.

• Provide fresh, clean water daily.
• Use nipple drinkers or open waterers (clean regularly to prevent algae and bacterial growth).
• In winter, use heated waterers to prevent freezing.
• Add electrolytes and vitamins during stress (e.g., after transport, during heat waves, or illness) as recommended by a veterinarian.

Common Feeding Mistakes

1. Overfeeding scratch grains: Scratch grains are high in carbohydrates and low in protein. They should be a treat, not a staple.
2. Feeding only kitchen scraps: This leads to severe nutritional deficiencies.
3. Ignoring calcium needs: Soft-shelled eggs are a sign of deficiency.
4. Providing too much calcium to non-layers: This can cause kidney damage.
5. Not providing grit when needed: This leads to impacted crop or gizzard.
6. Feeding moldy or spoiled feed: This is a common cause of mycotoxin poisoning.

Regional Considerations

• United States and Canada: The AVMA and CFIA provide guidelines on feed safety and biosecurity. Medicated starter feeds are common. Always source feed from reputable mills.
• Europe: The FVE and EFSA emphasize the importance of complete feeds and discourage feeding of animal-derived proteins to poultry due to BSE/TSE regulations.
• Australia and New Zealand: The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and DAFF provide resources on poultry nutrition and disease prevention. Be aware of regional toxic plants (e.g., some species of Solanum).

Conclusion

Feeding backyard chickens is not complicated, but it requires attention to detail. A complete, age-appropriate commercial feed should form the foundation of the diet. Supplement with free-choice oyster shell for laying hens, provide insoluble grit when offering whole grains or foraged foods, and limit treats to 10% of the daily intake. Always avoid toxic foods and provide constant access to fresh, clean water. By following these veterinary guidelines, you can ensure your flock remains healthy, productive, and happy for years to come.

References

[1] Merck Veterinary Manual. (n.d.). Nutritional Requirements of Poultry. Retrieved from merckvetmanual.com.

[2] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (2022). Backyard Chickens: A Guide for Veterinarians and Owners. Schaumburg, IL: AVMA.

[3] European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2019). Scientific Opinion on the Safety of Feed Ingredients for Poultry. EFSA Journal, 17(3), e05678.

[4] Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). (2021). Feed Safety for Backyard Poultry. Government of Canada. Retrieved from inspection.gc.ca.

[5] Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). (2020). Poultry Health and Nutrition Guidelines. St Leonards, NSW: AVA.