A simple, UK-specific feeding plan: base the diet on a complete layers feed, add oyster shell and insoluble grit, keep treats small, and stay on the right side of kitchen-scrap law. If you’re asking what to feed chickens, here’s the short version that keeps eggs steady, hens healthy and vermin down.
The UK Feeding Basics — what to feed chickens daily
Base diet: a complete feed formulated for the life stage (layers pellets or mash for laying hens). This provides balanced protein, energy, vitamins and minerals. Keep feed available through the day.
Shell & grit: offer insoluble grit (for grinding food) and oyster shell (soluble calcium) in separate pots so hens can self‑regulate.
Fresh water + hygiene: constant access to clean, fresh water; clean drinkers and feeders regularly. In winter, remove ice and do not use chemicals to thaw. See our essential equipment checklist for drinkers, feeders and vermin‑safe setups.
Pellets vs mash: both are complete feeds—pellets reduce selective feeding; mash can encourage slower eating. Use what your birds eat well and waste least.
Treats: keep treats small so the complete feed stays ≥90% of the diet; use lawful options (see law section). Many welfare bodies advise keeping treats to ~10% of intake at most.
Progress marker: Feeder lip set at hen back‑height; separate bowls for grit and oyster shell; water refreshed daily.
Life Stages: From Chick to Layer (and How to Switch Feeds)
What to feed chickens changes with age: chick crumb → growers → layers, switching over 7–10 days.
0–6 weeks – Chick crumb (with or without a coccidiostat): tiny particle size and higher protein for rapid growth. If using a medicated crumb, follow the label and your vet’s advice; observe any withdrawal period before eggs are eaten later in life.
6–16(–18) weeks – Growers/Rearer pellets: step down protein to grow frame and organs without pushing early lay. Transition over 7–10 days by mixing old:new at 75:25 → 50:50 → 25:75.
Point‑of‑lay (POL) and beyond – Layers pellets/mash: move to a layers ration when comb reddens and birds near ~18–20 weeks (hybrids) or later for traditional breeds. Keep oyster shell and insoluble grit available in separate pots. If you’re unsure when birds start, see when do chickens start laying eggs?, and pick a suitable strain with our Chicken Breed Selector.
Ex‑battery hens: go gently—use a quality layers feed; good calcium access helps re‑mineralise after a hard laying cycle.
Note for mixed flocks: Don’t feed medicated chick crumb to waterfowl unless specifically directed by a vet; waterfowl have different needs and sensitivities—use dedicated waterfowl starter or unmedicated crumb.
How Much to Feed? Simple Maths, Common Mistakes and a Quick Calculator
Knowing what to feed chickens matters as much as how much. Keep the base a complete layers feed, then adjust quantity.
Typical daily intake (adult layers): ~100–120 g per standard hen/day; heavy breeds may reach 130–150 g; bantams often 60–90 g. Expect appetite to rise in cold weather and during heavy lay.
Rule of thumb
Daily feed (g) = hens × grams per hen.
Weekly feed (kg) ≈ (daily feed × 7) ÷ 1000.
Worked example: 6 hybrid layers × 120 g = 720 g/day → ~5.0 kg/week. A 20 kg sack lasts ~4 weeks for that flock.
Common mistakes: over‑treating (dilutes protein/calcium), under‑filling hoppers (dominant hens gatekeep), low feeder height (waste/vermin), leaving feed out overnight (rats). Choose covered or treadle feeders to limit theft. If space is tight or pecking order pressure is high, check your coop capacity with the Chicken Coop Size Calculator.
While most people buy their chicken feed, you can make your own; here’s a guide from the Happy Chicken Coop.
Quick Calculator (to build as a small JS widget)
Inputs: life stage → default g/hen/day; flock size; result shows per day / per week and bag‑lasts estimate. Persist last used values to localStorage.
Daily Feed Calculator (g/hen/day × flock size)
Treats & UK law — what can chickens eat (and what’s banned)?
I was surprised to find out there were laws about what I could and could not feed my chickens.
The law (kitchen scraps & catering waste): It is illegal to feed household kitchen scraps or catering waste to poultry—this includes vegetarian and vegan kitchens and applies to pet flocks. This rule helps prevent serious animal‑disease outbreaks. New to poultry rules? Start with Can I keep chickens in the UK in my garden or allotment? and check Do I need to register my chickens?.
Plain‑English nuance: Whole produce that has not passed through your kitchen (e.g., a whole cabbage taken straight to the run) avoids the cross‑contamination risk that the law targets—use common sense and keep it clean.
Dried insects & mealworms: UK rules do not allow dried terrestrial invertebrates (e.g., dried mealworms) in farm animal feed or treats; aquatic invertebrates are only permitted when sourced from approved premises for non‑ruminants. Check labels and suppliers carefully.
Mixed corn (scratch): offer a small portion in the late afternoon/evening, especially in cold snaps—this supplies easy energy without displacing daytime pellets. Keep treats ≤10% of the diet.
Legal, low‑waste enrichment ideas: hang an untreated garden‑grown brassica; scatter a few pellets in deep litter for foraging; use purpose‑made pecker blocks from reputable UK feed brands.
Winter & Moult: Extra Energy, Protein—and When to Ease Off
Winter: hens burn more energy to stay warm, so feed intake rises. Keep the base layers ration front and centre; use a small dusk corn as needed. Water management matters—break ice, refresh often, no chemical de‑icers.
Moult: protein demand increases for feather regrowth—don’t drown the ration in corn; hold treats low and keep oyster shell available. Some keepers temporarily use a higher‑protein “grower/all‑flock” base with separate oyster shell until lay resumes.
Delight moment: Teach an evening‑corn call—hens sprint home, crops fill, waste drops.
Fixing Problems: Soft-Shelled Eggs, Feather Pecking, Weight Issues
Soft‑shelled/thin eggs → Check oyster shell access, keep treats modest, ensure steady intake of a complete layers feed; review stress and hydration.
Feather pecking/boredom → Keep dietary protein adequate; use lawful enrichment (deep litter scratching, safe greens that haven’t been in the kitchen). Provide space and visual barriers.
Under/over‑weight → Weigh sample hens monthly; adjust access (more feeders), height (back‑height), and treat load. Pick up leftover feed at dusk; consider treadle feeders to reduce theft by wild birds and rodents.
Weekly feeding checklist
FAQs
Common questions on what to feed chickens, kitchen-scrap rules and daily amounts.
Can I feed kitchen scraps to my chickens?
No. UK rules ban kitchen scraps and catering waste for poultry—regardless of whether the kitchen is vegan or not. Offer garden‑grown greens that haven’t passed through the kitchen instead.
How much feed per hen per day?
Plan ~100–120 g for a standard layer, less for bantams, more for big breeds. Watch the birds and the feeder: persistent leftovers mean you can dial back; empty hoppers and squabbling mean add capacity.
Do hens need grit and oyster shell?
Yes—insoluble grit helps grind food; oyster shell provides calcium for shells. Offer both separately so hens can choose.
Is mixed corn good or bad?
Good as a small evening energy top‑up, especially in winter—keep treats ≤10% so you don’t dilute the balanced ration.
What about medicated chick crumb?
It can help manage coccidiosis risk in chicks. Follow the label, and observe any withdrawal period before eggs are eaten later; ask your vet if in doubt. Don’t feed medicated crumb to waterfowl unless your vet advises.
What is the best thing to feed chickens?
A complete layers feed (pellets or mash, 15–17% protein) as the base, with oyster shell and insoluble grit offered separately, plus constant fresh water.
What should you not feed a chicken?
No kitchen scraps/catering waste (illegal in the UK). Avoid dried mealworms/insect PAP for poultry, mouldy feed, lawn clippings, and toxic foods (e.g., raw/dry beans, green potato peel, chocolate, avocado skin/pit, very salty/sugary foods).
How many times a day should I feed my chickens?
Use a hopper so hens can eat little-and-often during daylight. Give an optional small corn treat at dusk in cold weather. Pick up feed overnight to deter vermin.
Should chickens have access to food all day?
Yes, ad lib during daylight. Remove feed at night; water should be available at all times.
How much to feed per hen per day (in kg)?
Standard layers: 0.10–0.12 kg. Bantams: 0.06–0.09 kg. Heavy breeds: 0.13–0.15 kg. Multiply by flock size to get total; our on-page calculator works it out and shows weeks per 20 kg bag.
What to feed chickens at night?
They roost; no night feed needed. If you use mixed corn, offer just before dusk, then remove leftover feed.
What to feed chickens to make them lay eggs?
A balanced layers feed and access to oyster shell. Laying also depends on day length and health—winter slowdowns are normal; don’t try to “fix” with treats.
What to feed chickens naturally (UK)?
Keep the complete feed as the base. Add garden-grown greens that haven’t passed through the kitchen, supervised foraging, and enrichment (pecker blocks). Stay within UK law on scraps.
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