Choosing the right feed is one of the most important decisions you can make for your backyard flock. The ideal layer feed provides a balanced foundation of protein, calcium, and essential vitamins to support consistent egg production, strong shells, and overall hen vitality. With so many options available, from organic to non-GMO and various textures, finding the perfect match for your chickens can feel overwhelming.
This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting ten of the best chicken feeds designed to keep your hens healthy and productive. We have evaluated key factors such as ingredient quality, nutritional profile, and form—whether crumbles, pellets, or mash—to help you make an informed choice for your feathered friends. Your flock’s health and the quality of the eggs they produce start with the nutrition you provide.
Our Top Picks for Healthy, Productive Hens
- Kalmbach Feeds Organic Layer Feed With Omegga
- Manna Pro Chicken Feed, 16% Protein Layer Crumbles
- Purina Layena+ Omega 3 Formula Layer Hen Feed
- Manna Pro Layer Pellets Chicken Feed with Probiotics
- Nutrena Nature Smart Organic Non GMO Layer Pellet
- Scratch and Peck Feeds Whole Grain Layer Mash
- Nutrena Country Feeds 16% Layer Pellets
- Scratch and Peck Feeds Whole Grain Layer Pellets
- Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Chicken Scratch
- Producer’s Pride 16% Layer Pellets
Kalmbach Feeds Organic Layer Feed With Omegga
For poultry keepers seeking a certified organic option, Kalmbach Feeds delivers a premium formula. This feed is USDA Organic and designed to help your chickens produce eggs that are high in both Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D-3, adding nutritional value to your breakfast table.
The benefits extend beyond the egg. It contains a proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes to actively support your hens’ digestive and immune health. A robust digestive system is fundamental for nutrient absorption and overall hen vitality, making this a comprehensive choice for a healthy flock.
Manna Pro Chicken Feed, 16% Protein Layer Crumbles
Manna Pro’s Layer Crumbles provide a complete nutritional profile specifically for laying hens. The 16% protein level promotes strong eggshell formation and supports consistent egg laying, muscle development, and overall vitality. This balanced formula helps maintain optimal health in your backyard flock throughout the year.
The crumble form is a significant advantage for many flocks. It encourages easy pecking and helps to reduce feed waste compared to finer mashes. Designed for optimal digestibility, it allows your hens to absorb key nutrients effectively, which promotes healthier digestion and steady, reliable egg production.
Purina Layena+ Omega 3 Formula Layer Hen Feed
Purina Layena+ is formulated with a clear focus on enhancing the nutritional content of the eggs your hens produce. This nutritionally complete feed is designed to produce a large egg that contains 250 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, a significant increase compared to the 50 mg found in a traditional store-bought large egg.
By choosing this feed, you are directly investing in the quality of your homegrown eggs. It provides all the necessary nutrients for your laying hens while boosting the omega-3 levels, making your eggs a more nutrient-dense food source for your household.
Manna Pro Layer Pellets Chicken Feed with Probiotics
This offering from Manna Pro combines the convenience of a pellet with targeted nutritional support. It is a high-quality chicken layer feed fortified with omega-3 and extra calcium to support healthy shells and provide complete daily nutrition for your hens. The pellet form is tidy and easy for hens to eat.
This complete layer feed is enriched with probiotics to aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption. It contains no antibiotics, artificial colors, or artificial flavors, supporting the natural health and vibrant feathers of your flock without unnecessary additives.
Nutrena Nature Smart Organic Non GMO Layer Pellet
Nutrena Nature Smart provides a trusted option for those who prefer organic and non-GMO ingredients. This USDA Certified Organic feed comes in a 16% protein pellet form, suitable for birds 16 weeks or older. It is designed to meet the nutritional demands of laying hens with high-quality ingredients.
To support overall hen well-being, this feed includes probiotics and a yeast culture. These components work to promote healthy digestion and bolster immune health, ensuring your flock can make the most of the organic nutrients provided.
Scratch and Peck Feeds Whole Grain Layer Mash
Scratch and Peck Feeds offers a uniquely clean formula with their Whole Grain Layer Mash. This nutritionally complete feed is both corn-free and soy-free, making it an excellent choice for chickens with sensitivities. Its 16% protein content promotes optimal health in laying chickens and ducks.
The feed is made with premium ingredients and holds both USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified certifications. You can be confident it contains no fillers or medications, providing pure, wholesome nourishment for both hybrid and heritage breeds.
Nutrena Country Feeds 16% Layer Pellets
Nutrena Country Feeds provides a straightforward, reliable option for flock owners. This 50-pound bag offers a complete layer feed with 16% protein, fortified with vitamins and minerals specifically chosen to promote hen health and support consistent egg production.
As a complete feed, it is formulated to provide all the necessary nutrition for your laying hens without the need for any additional supplements. This simplicity makes it a convenient and effective choice for maintaining a healthy and productive flock.
Scratch and Peck Feeds Whole Grain Layer Pellets
For those who prefer the pellet form but want the clean ingredients of Scratch and Peck, this feed is the perfect solution. These whole grain pellets are packed with cracked grains and whole food ingredients, and are free from soy, medications, and fillers.
This natural feed supports healthy egg production and overall flock vitality. Like the mash version, it is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, ensuring your flock receives top-quality, clean nutrition without harmful additives or synthetic ingredients.
Manna Pro 7-Grain Ultimate Chicken Scratch
It is important to note that this product is a treat, not a complete feed. Manna Pro’s 7-Grain Scratch offers a high-protein, high-fiber blend of corn, wheat, milo, barley, oats, sunflower seeds, and millet. It is designed to be used as a supplemental treat to provide variety and extra energy.
Naturally non-GMO and free from artificial colors and flavors, this engaging blend uses visually appealing purple corn and natural ingredients. It is a healthy choice for a treat that can help keep your flock active and entertained.
Producer’s Pride 16% Layer Pellets
Producer’s Pride offers a fundamental and accessible layer feed option for backyard flocks. These 16% protein pellets provide complete nutrition tailored to the needs of laying hens, supporting their health and egg-laying capabilities.
This feed serves as a solid, no-fuss foundation for your flock’s diet. It is formulated to deliver the essential vitamins and minerals required for daily health and productivity, making it a practical choice for many poultry keepers.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Chicken Feed for Healthy Hens
Choosing the right feed for your flock is one of the most important decisions you make as a chicken keeper. I’ve learned that it’s not just about grabbing the first bag at the farm store; it’s about matching the feed to your hens’ specific life stage and needs to ensure they stay healthy and productive. The best chicken feeds for healthy hens are formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet, acting as the cornerstone of their well-being.
First, you need to consider the life stage of your birds. Starter feed is for chicks from hatch until about 8 weeks old. It’s high in protein (around 20-24%) to support their rapid growth. Next is grower feed, sometimes called developer feed, for pullets from 8 weeks until they lay their first egg. The protein level drops slightly, usually to around 16-18%. Once your hen starts laying, she needs a layer feed. This is crucial because it contains the right amount of calcium (around 3-4%) to form strong eggshells. Feeding layer feed to non-laying birds, like chicks or roosters, can actually harm them due to the excess calcium.
The form of the feed matters, too. You’ll find it in crumbles, pellets, and mash. Crumbles are a great middle ground, easy for most hens to eat and reducing waste. Pellets are durable and also minimize waste, but some smaller hens might find them tricky. Mash is a finely ground, almost powder-like feed that can be fed dry or wet as a treat, but it’s messier and can lead to more waste if not managed properly.
Then there’s the big question: organic, non-GMO, or conventional? This often comes down to personal preference and budget. Organic feed is certified to be made from ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and is non-GMO. It’s a great choice if you want to align your flock’s diet with organic principles, but it is typically more expensive. Non-GMO feed uses ingredients that are not genetically modified but may not be grown organically. Conventional feed is the standard option and is perfectly fine for keeping your hens healthy. I always recommend reading the ingredient list. Look for a feed where the primary ingredients are recognizable, like whole grains, and not just a list of by-products.
Finally, observe your flock. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the egg basket and their overall demeanor. Healthy hens on the right feed will have bright eyes, shiny feathers, and consistently produce eggs with strong shells. If you notice a change in eggshell quality or their energy levels, it might be time to re-evaluate their diet. Remember, treats like vegetables and mealworms are fun, but they should only make up a small portion of their overall intake to ensure they get all their essential nutrients from their primary feed.
FAQ
How much feed does one chicken eat per day?
On average, a single laying hen will eat about 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound of feed per day. This can vary based on her size, breed, the weather (they eat more in the cold), and how much she’s free-ranging. If she’s out scratching for bugs and plants all day, she’ll naturally eat less from the feeder. I just keep my feeder full and let them self-regulate, but it’s good to keep an eye on consumption so you can spot any sudden changes, which might indicate a health issue.
Can I mix my own chicken feed from scratch?
You can, but I would caution that it’s very difficult to get the balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids just right. Commercial feeds are scientifically formulated to be a complete diet. If you try to mix your own, you risk creating deficiencies that can lead to serious health problems, like weak bones or poor egg production. If you’re interested in a more DIY approach, a safer option is to use a prepared base mix and add your own grains, but even then, you need to follow instructions carefully to ensure you’re still providing one of the best chicken feeds for healthy hens.
What is the difference between medicated and non-medicated chick starter?
Medicated chick starter contains a coccidiostat, which helps protect chicks against coccidiosis, a common and potentially deadly intestinal disease. It’s a preventative measure. Non-medicated starter does not contain this medication. The right choice depends on your chicks. If your chicks were vaccinated against coccidiosis at the hatchery, you must use non-medicated feed, as the medication will make the vaccine ineffective. If they weren’t vaccinated, using medicated feed can offer an extra layer of protection during those vulnerable first few weeks.
Why are my chickens’ eggshells soft or thin?
Soft or thin eggshells are almost always a sign of a calcium deficiency. Laying hens have a huge demand for calcium to produce those shells daily. The first thing I check is that I’m feeding a proper layer feed, which is fortified with calcium. Sometimes, even with a good feed, a hen might need a top-up. This is why I always offer a separate source of calcium, like crushed oyster shell, in a little dish alongside their feed. The hens will eat it as they need it. Also, ensure they are getting enough vitamin D, as it’s essential for calcium absorption—sunlight helps with this!
Is it okay to give my chickens table scraps?
It’s okay in moderation! Table scraps can be a fun treat and provide variety, but they should never make up more than 10% of your flock’s total diet. Their main nutrition must come from their complete feed. Avoid anything salty, sugary, processed, or greasy. Also, never feed them avocado pits or skins, chocolate, raw dried beans, or anything moldy. Good options include vegetable peels, cooked grains like rice or quinoa, and most fruit scraps. Just remember, too many treats can unbalance their diet and lead to fat hens who don’t lay well.