Top Tips on How to Feed Your Chickens for Health & Productivity

Keeping chickens is a rewarding experience, and feeding them properly is key to their health and productivity. While chickens enjoy scratching around to find food, it's essential to provide them with a balanced diet rich in nutrients. Specially formulated poultry feeds like mixed corn, layer mash, and pellets supply vital vitamins and minerals to keep your birds healthy and happy.

1. Encourage Natural Foraging by Scattering Mixed Corn

Chickens love foraging. Instead of filling feed bowls, scatter mixed corn across the ground. This encourages natural scratching behaviour and prevents dominant birds from gobbling all the food, giving all hens a fair chance to eat.

2. Use High-Quality Pellets and Understand Their Ingredients

Special poultry pellets contain everything your chickens need, including natural egg yolk and grit. Since chickens don’t have teeth, grit helps break down food in their gizzards. Oyster shell grit is especially beneficial for laying hens as it provides calcium necessary for strong bones and firm eggshells. If you notice soft eggshells, adding oyster shell grit will help mitigate this problem and improve overall hen health.

3. Maintain Clean Feeders and Drinkers

Regularly clean feeders to avoid mouldy or stale food, which can cause illness. Also, clean drinkers frequently to prevent toxic green algae forming. Keeping feeding areas hygienic protects your flock from disease and promotes well-being.

4. Supplement with Safe Leftovers and Treats

Chickens enjoy many human foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables (including peels), bread, rice, and pasta. However, treats should be fed sparingly—no more than 20% of their diet—to avoid health issues. Avoid feeding onions, avocado, sweets, chocolate, sugary or salty foods, and citrus, as these are harmful to chickens.

5. Provide Age-Appropriate Feed for Young Birds

Very young chicks require chick crumb feed, some varieties including antibiotics to support health. As they mature (around 20 weeks), transition them to grower pellets. Once hens reach the point of lay, switch to layer pellets or mash formula tailored to their nutritional needs.

6. Store Chicken Feed Correctly

Store feed in a dry place using rodent-proof containers such as metal bins with tightly fitting lids or repurposed chest freezers. Proper storage prevents dampness and mould growth, keeping food fresh and safe for your birds.

7. Feed Small, Regular Amounts and Provide Constant Water

Chickens eat small meals throughout the day and require fresh water at all times for digestion and hydration. Feeding small portions multiple times or using automatic feeders helps reduce feed waste and ensures they always have access to food.

8. Manage Treats to Maintain Healthful Diet

While chickens love treats, overfeeding can reduce egg production and cause obesity. Maintain treats within a 20% diet portion to support overall health and productivity.

Adhering to these tips will help you keep a thriving, happy flock. Feeding well-balanced diets, promoting natural behaviours, and maintaining cleanliness are essential steps for responsible chicken care.

For those interested in adding to their flock, finding chickens for sale through reputable sources ensures healthy birds raised to high welfare standards.

Conclusion

Chickens are relatively low maintenance but require good nutrition to stay strong and produce quality eggs. Specialised poultry feed provides vital nutrients, while safe leftovers and treats add variety. Keep feed fresh and clean, encourage natural foraging, and store feed properly to support wellbeing. Following these best practices will ensure your flock thrives year-round with robust health and happiness.