Unlocking the Chicken Diet - Feed πŸ₯¦ for Happier Hens

Chickens eat a variety of foods ranging from grains, vegetables, insects, and even kitchen scraps. Their diet can be supplemented with chicken feed crumbles or pellets, which provide the necessary nutrients for their growth and egg production.

Many chicken keepers opt for organic no GMO chicken feed to ensure their chickens are consuming healthy, chemical-free food. This is especially important for those who are raising chickens for their meat or eggs. You can learn more about the importance of a balanced chicken diet in our article, The Ultimate Guide to Raising Meat Chickens from Hatchling to Harvest.

Proportional Composition of a Chicken's Diet

When it comes to what to feed a sick chicken that won't eat, it's essential to provide easily digestible foods like cooked rice, corn, or even baby food. Hydration is also crucial, so ensure they have access to fresh water.

Chicken diet can also include grass-fed chickens. This is because chickens are natural foragers and love pecking at grass and bugs. You might be interested in our article All About Chicken Care: From Feed to Shelter and Beyond for more information on this topic.

Decoding the Chicken Feed Dilemma: Crumbles or Pellets? πŸ”

Chicken feed comes in two forms: crumbles and pellets. While both provide the necessary nutrients, they differ in size and texture. Crumbles are smaller and easier to eat, making them ideal for chicks. On the other hand, pellets are larger and less likely to be wasted, making them better for adult chickens.

Now that we've discussed the different types of feed, let's dive into some frequently asked questions about chickens' diet.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chickens' Diet

What is the typical diet of a chicken?
Chickens eat a variety of foods. Their diet is primarily composed of grains, making up about 50% of their intake. They also consume vegetables (20%), insects (15%), kitchen scraps (10%), and other foods (5%). This diverse diet helps them get all the nutrients they need for a healthy life.
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What is the difference between crumbles and pellets in chicken feed?
Crumbles and pellets are two forms of chicken feed. While both provide the necessary nutrients, they differ in size and texture. Crumbles are smaller and easier to eat, making them ideal for chicks. On the other hand, pellets are larger and less likely to be wasted, making them better for adult chickens.
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What should I feed a sick chicken that won't eat?
When a chicken is sick and not eating, it's essential to provide easily digestible foods. Cooked rice, pasta, and scrambled eggs are good options. You can also try feeding them their usual diet in a wet, mash form to make it easier for them to eat.
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Can chickens eat eggshells?
Yes, chickens can eat eggshells. In fact, eggshells are a great source of calcium, a nutrient that's crucial for egg-laying hens. Before feeding eggshells to your chickens, make sure to clean and dry them thoroughly to prevent any potential bacterial contamination.
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Feeding eggshells to chickens is a common practice, and we'll discuss that next.

Now, you might be wondering, can you feed egg shells to chickens? The answer is yes! Eggshells are a great source of calcium, a crucial nutrient for egg-laying hens. It's best to crush the shells before feeding them to prevent the hens from developing a taste for their own eggs.

To better understand how to feed egg shells to your chickens and why it's beneficial, check out this informative video:

Now that you've learned how to properly feed your chickens egg shells for their calcium intake, let's move on to some recommended chicken feeds that can further enhance their diet.

If you're looking for quality chicken feed, here are some products I recommend:

Remember, a proper diet is essential for your chickens' health and productivity. So, always ensure they are getting a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients. Happy chicken raising!

Recommended Products

Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed Pellets | 18% Protein Level | Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-GMO | All Natural US Locally Sourced Ingredients | 20lb Our Recommendation
Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed Pellets | 18% Protein Level | Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-GMO | All Natural US Locally Sourced Ingredients | 20lb
4.4 (873+ Reviews)
$39.99 Prime Eligible
HOME FRESH Chicken Feed - Complete Nutrition for Poultry, High Energy and Protein, Organic Layer Pellet Chicken Food - 40 lb Bag Our Recommendation
HOME FRESH Chicken Feed - Complete Nutrition for Poultry, High Energy and Protein, Organic Layer Pellet Chicken Food - 40 lb Bag
New Country Organics Soy-Free, Corn-Free Layer Feed for Laying Hens, 50 lbs Our Recommendation
New Country Organics Soy-Free, Corn-Free Layer Feed for Laying Hens, 50 lbs
$85.99
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Crumbles - Premium Chicken and Duck Feed Formulated with Sustainable Grub Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals – 25lb Our Recommendation
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Crumbles - Premium Chicken and Duck Feed Formulated with Sustainable Grub Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals – 25lb
$46.99
Manna Pro Chicken Feed | 16% Chicken Food with Probiotic Crumbles, Chicken Layer Feed | 8 Pounds Our Recommendation
Manna Pro Chicken Feed | 16% Chicken Food with Probiotic Crumbles, Chicken Layer Feed | 8 Pounds
$16.22 Prime Eligible
New Country Organics Soy-Free, Corn-Free, Layer Feed for Laying Hens, 25 lbs Our Recommendation
New Country Organics Soy-Free, Corn-Free, Layer Feed for Laying Hens, 25 lbs
$49.99
Mile Four | Layer Organic Chicken Feed | 100% US Grown Grains, Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO, Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-Medicated Chicken Food | 16% Protein | Whole Grain | 46 lbs. Our Recommendation
Mile Four | Layer Organic Chicken Feed | 100% US Grown Grains, Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO, Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-Medicated Chicken Food | 16% Protein | Whole Grain | 46 lbs.
$89.99
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Chicken Feed with Corn for Chickens and Ducks - 25-lbs - Non-GMO Project Verified, Always Soy Free - 1004-25 Our Recommendation
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Chicken Feed with Corn for Chickens and Ducks - 25-lbs - Non-GMO Project Verified, Always Soy Free - 1004-25
$45.99
Amazingly Tasty Layer Feed for Hens Freshly Milled: Non-GMO, Soy Free, Corn Free, with Organic Fertrell Vitamins and Minerals (20lb) Our Recommendation
Amazingly Tasty Layer Feed for Hens Freshly Milled: Non-GMO, Soy Free, Corn Free, with Organic Fertrell Vitamins and Minerals (20lb)
$34.95
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Pellets 16% - Premium Chicken and Duck Feed Formulated with Sustainable Grub Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals – 25 lbs Our Recommendation
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Pellets 16% - Premium Chicken and Duck Feed Formulated with Sustainable Grub Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals – 25 lbs
$46.74
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Mash Chicken Feed - 50-lbs - 16% Protein, Non-GMO Project Verified, Naturally Free Chicken Food Our Recommendation
Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Layer Mash Chicken Feed - 50-lbs - 16% Protein, Non-GMO Project Verified, Naturally Free Chicken Food
$89.99
Manna Pro Chick Starter Food – Non-Medicated Chick Feed – Chick Supplies – Duck Food 5 Pounds Our Recommendation
Manna Pro Chick Starter Food – Non-Medicated Chick Feed – Chick Supplies – Duck Food 5 Pounds
$7.99 Prime Eligible
Manna Pro All Flock Crumbles | 16% Protein Level | Complete Feed for Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Gamebirds | Probiotics to Support Digestion | Crumbled Form for Easy Feeding | 25 Pounds Our Recommendation
Manna Pro All Flock Crumbles | 16% Protein Level | Complete Feed for Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Gamebirds | Probiotics to Support Digestion | Crumbled Form for Easy Feeding | 25 Pounds
4.3 (2282+ Reviews)
$46.34 Prime Eligible
Mile Four | Grower Organic Chicken Feed | 100% US Grown Grains, Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO, Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-Medicated Chicken Food | 18% Protein | Pellet | 2 lbs. Our Recommendation
Mile Four | Grower Organic Chicken Feed | 100% US Grown Grains, Certified Organic, Certified Non-GMO, Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Non-Medicated Chicken Food | 18% Protein | Pellet | 2 lbs.
$19.99 Prime Eligible
Darren Hayes
Culinary arts, Farm-to-table cooking, Egg dishes

Darren Hayes is an authority in the culinary world, noted for his expertise in utilizing fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. He has developed a particular affinity for dishes that incorporate home-raised chicken eggs. Darren relishes the exploration of culinary uniqueness stemming from different chicken breeds and their eggs.