What Backyard Chickens Eat (Complete Guide)

Components of a Backyard Chicken's Diet

A backyard chicken's diet consists of four main parts:

1. Complete Formulated Feed: This serves as the base of their diet and should be sized according to the chicken's life stage:

   • Chick starter: 18-20% protein for weeks 0-8
   • Grower: 16-18% protein for weeks 8-18
   • Layer: 16% protein plus 3.5-4.5% calcium once the first egg drops (around 18-20 weeks)
   • All-flock/flock-raiser: 18-20% protein for mixed-age flocks with a separate oyster shell dish

   Feed should be available to the birds all day and not rationed.

2. Fresh Clean Water: Chickens require access to fresh, clean water at all times, which should be refilled daily. A hen typically drinks about 500 ml a day, and more during hot weather.

3. Grit: Insoluble crushed granite should be offered free choice to aid the gizzard in grinding whole grains, seeds, bugs, and forage. Free-range birds can pick up their own grit, while confined birds need a small dish provided.

4. Treats and Forage: These should make up less than 10% of the daily intake to ensure the balanced feed remains effective. Good treats include:

   • Leafy greens
   • Cucumbers
   • Watermelon
   • Cooked squash
   • Plain cooked oats or rice
   • Sunflower seeds
   • Mealworms
   • Black soldier fly larvae
   • Garden bugs

Important Considerations

Chickens are omnivores and will also eat bugs, small frogs, and mice. It's important to consider the age of the chickens when feeding them, as it matters more than most owners think.

Feeding layer feed to chicks or roosters can damage their kidneys due to excess calcium. Conversely, feeding low-calcium grower feed to laying hens can result in thin-shelled eggs. When uncertain, it's advisable to feed all-flock feed and allow layers to self-serve calcium from a separate oyster shell dish.