What Do Chickens Eat? A Comprehensive Guide to Chicken Nutrition

Understanding what do chickens eat is crucial for ensuring their health, productivity, and overall well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned poultry farmer or a backyard chicken enthusiast, providing a balanced and nutritious diet is paramount. This comprehensive guide explores the diverse dietary needs of chickens, covering everything from commercial feed to natural foraging and supplemental treats.

The Foundation: Commercial Chicken Feed

For most chicken keepers, commercial chicken feed forms the cornerstone of their flock’s diet. These feeds are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of chickens at different life stages. Understanding the various types of commercial feed is essential.

Starter Feed

Starter feed is designed for chicks from hatching to around 6-8 weeks of age. It’s high in protein (typically 20-24%) to support rapid growth and development. Starter feed often contains coccidiostats, medications that help prevent coccidiosis, a common and potentially fatal parasitic disease in young chickens. Make sure to read the label carefully to understand the ingredients and any specific instructions.

Grower Feed

Grower feed is fed to chickens from 6-8 weeks until they start laying eggs (around 18-20 weeks). It has a lower protein content than starter feed (typically 16-18%) but still provides essential nutrients for continued growth and development. This feed helps prepare pullets (young hens) for the demands of egg production.

Layer Feed

Layer feed is specifically formulated for laying hens. It contains a balanced amount of protein (typically 16-18%), calcium (essential for strong eggshells), and other nutrients necessary for egg production. Calcium is a critical component; without sufficient calcium, hens will lay thin-shelled or even shell-less eggs. Oyster shell supplementation can also be beneficial, especially for older hens. What do chickens eat when they are laying eggs is crucial for the quality of their eggs.

Broiler Feed

Broiler feed is designed for chickens raised for meat production (broilers). It’s high in protein and energy to promote rapid growth and muscle development. Broilers typically reach market weight in 6-8 weeks, so their dietary needs are different from those of laying hens.

The Joy of Foraging: Natural Food Sources for Chickens

Chickens are natural foragers, and allowing them to roam and peck at the ground provides them with a variety of nutrients and enrichment. Foraging can supplement their commercial feed and improve their overall health. What do chickens eat when they are foraging?

Insects and Worms

Chickens love insects and worms! These are excellent sources of protein and other essential nutrients. Allowing chickens to free-range in a safe environment allows them to hunt for these tasty treats. Mealworms are a popular treat that can be purchased and offered as a supplement.

Greens and Vegetation

Chickens enjoy grazing on grass, weeds, and other vegetation. These provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A healthy pasture or garden can be a valuable source of food for chickens. Be mindful of poisonous plants in your area and ensure chickens don’t have access to them.

Seeds and Grains

Chickens naturally consume seeds and grains. These provide carbohydrates for energy. Scratch grains, a mixture of cracked corn, wheat, and other grains, are a popular treat for chickens. However, scratch grains should only be offered in moderation, as they are not a complete feed and should not replace their commercial feed.

Supplemental Treats: Adding Variety to the Chicken Diet

While commercial feed and foraging provide the foundation of a chicken’s diet, supplemental treats can add variety and enrichment. Treats should be offered in moderation and should not make up more than 10% of their daily intake.

Fruits and Vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables are safe and healthy treats for chickens. Some popular options include watermelon, berries, apples (without the seeds), bananas, cucumbers, and leafy greens. Avoid giving chickens avocado, as it contains persin, which is toxic to chickens in large quantities.

Cooked Rice and Pasta

Cooked rice and pasta can be offered as occasional treats. They provide carbohydrates for energy but should not be a staple of their diet. Ensure the rice and pasta are cooked plain, without any added salt, sauces, or seasonings.

Dairy Products

Small amounts of plain yogurt or cottage cheese can be offered as treats. These provide protein and calcium. Avoid giving chickens milk, as they lack the enzyme to properly digest lactose.

Grit and Oyster Shell

Grit is small pebbles or sand that chickens ingest to help them grind food in their gizzards. Chickens that are not free-ranging need grit to properly digest their food. Oyster shell provides supplemental calcium for laying hens, especially those laying a lot of eggs. Both grit and oyster shell should be offered free-choice.

Foods to Avoid: What Not to Feed Your Chickens

While chickens can eat a wide variety of foods, some foods are toxic or harmful to them. It’s important to know what to avoid feeding your flock.

Avocado

As mentioned earlier, avocado contains persin, which is toxic to chickens. Avoid giving them any part of the avocado, including the skin, pit, and flesh.

Chocolate and Caffeine

Chocolate and caffeine are toxic to chickens and can cause heart problems and other health issues. Avoid giving them any foods containing chocolate or caffeine.

Raw Potatoes and Potato Peels

Raw potatoes and potato peels contain solanine, which is toxic to chickens. Cooked potatoes are generally safe to feed in small amounts.

Dried Beans

Dried beans contain hemagglutinin, which is toxic to chickens. Cooked beans are safe to feed in small amounts.

Salty Foods

Chickens are sensitive to salt, and excessive salt intake can lead to dehydration and other health problems. Avoid giving them salty snacks or foods.

Moldy Food

Moldy food can contain toxins that are harmful to chickens. Always discard moldy food and never feed it to your flock.

Water: The Essential Nutrient

Clean, fresh water is essential for chicken health and productivity. Chickens need access to water at all times, especially during hot weather. Ensure their water source is clean and free of contaminants. Water is just as important as understanding what do chickens eat.

Adjusting the Diet: Considering the Seasons

A chicken’s dietary needs can change depending on the season. During the winter, chickens may need more energy to stay warm, so you can supplement their diet with scratch grains or other high-energy foods. During the summer, they may need more water and electrolytes to stay hydrated.

Conclusion: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Chickens

Providing a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for the health, productivity, and well-being of your chickens. By understanding their dietary needs and providing them with a combination of commercial feed, natural foraging opportunities, and supplemental treats, you can ensure that your flock thrives. Remember to always provide clean, fresh water and avoid feeding them toxic or harmful foods. Understanding what do chickens eat allows you to raise happy and healthy chickens. [See also: Raising Chickens for Beginners] [See also: Chicken Coop Design Ideas]