Garden Feathers Bird Supplies

Chicken food - by age

The nutritional requirements of chickens varies with age.  Young chicks need high protein levels in particular, to help with feathering and growth.  By contrast, adult hens need a good supply of calcium but lower protein levels.

The table below is a quick guide to the appropriate feeds for different ages.

Age

Name

Feeding Requirements

0 – 8 weeks

Chicks

Chick crumb.

8 – 18 weeks

Growers

Growers pellets or growers mash.

18+ weeks

Adult Chickens

Female hens of 18+ weeks are often referred to as Point of Lay (POL for short).

Layers pellets or layers mash, plus mixed corn and other treats.  Breeders pellets can be fed to breeding stock leading up to the laying of eggs for hatching.