One of the first questions new chicken keepers ask is “What do chickens eat?” Closely behind it is another important question: “How do you keep a backyard flock healthy and productive?”
The good news is that chickens are not very picky. They can eat a wide range of foods, including commercial feed, grains, greens, insects, and some kitchen scraps.
In this complete feeding guide, you’ll learn what chickens eat, which foods are safe, which foods to avoid, how feeding changes with the seasons, and how to choose the best feed for every stage of a chicken’s life.
If you’re just starting out, our Complete Beginner Guide to Raising Chickens walks through everything from choosing breeds to setting up your first coop.
What Do Chickens Eat?
Chickens eat a wide variety of foods both in the wild and in backyard flocks. A healthy diet typically includes commercial feed, grains, insects, kitchen scraps, and fresh greens. A good chicken diet includes commercial feed, grains, insects, kitchen scraps, and fresh greens. Each of these plays a role in keeping your flock strong and productive.
Commercial feed forms the backbone of most backyard chicken diets because it’s formulated to meet a chicken’s daily nutritional needs. Beyond that, chickens are natural foragers. They scratch the ground looking for bugs, seeds, and plant matter. Feeding chickens a mix of quality feed and natural forage produces the healthiest birds.
Here’s a quick overview of the foods that make up a typical backyard chicken diet:
| 🐔 Food Type | 🌾 Role in the Diet |
|---|---|
| Commercial pellets or crumble | Forms the bulk of a chicken’s daily diet and provides balanced nutrition. |
| Grains (corn, oats, barley) | Provide energy and carbohydrates for active birds. |
| Insects and worms | Deliver natural protein and encourage natural foraging behavior. |
| Kitchen scraps | Offer variety and nutrients when given in moderation. |
| Leafy greens | Provide vitamins and minerals while keeping chickens active. |
While chickens can eat many different foods, they still need the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy.
The Basics of a Healthy Chicken Diet
While chickens eat a wide variety of foods, they still need a balanced diet to stay healthy. A complete chicken diet covers four main nutritional areas.
Protein
Protein supports feather growth, muscle development, and egg production. Laying hens need about 16% protein in their diet. Good protein sources include mealworms, fish meal, and high-quality commercial feed. Free-ranging chickens also get extra protein from insects.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates give chickens energy. Corn, wheat, and oats are common sources. Don’t overdo it with corn, though. Too much corn can throw off the nutritional balance and lead to weight gain.
Vitamins and Minerals
Fresh greens, vegetables, and quality feed all contribute vitamins and minerals. Chickens that forage freely tend to get a good mix naturally. Confined birds may benefit from occasional vitamin supplements, especially if they have limited access to fresh forage.
Calcium
Laying hens require extra calcium to produce strong eggshells. Most layer feeds include calcium, but many keepers offer oyster shell as a free-choice supplement on the side. We’ll cover this more in a later section.
Types of Chicken Feed
Not all chicken feed is formulated the same way. The best chicken feed depends on your bird’s age and purpose.
Starter Feed
Starter feed is designed for chicks from hatch through about 8 weeks of age. It’s high in protein, usually around 20–22%, and supports rapid early growth. It typically comes as a fine crumble that young chicks can eat easily.
Grower Feed
Grower feed is used for pullets from about 8 weeks until they begin laying, usually around 18–20 weeks. Protein drops slightly, to around 16–18%, as growth slows and the body matures.
Layer Feed
Layer feed is formulated to support egg production and should make up the majority of the laying hen diet. Some breeds produce more eggs than others, which can affect how much feed they consume. Our guide to the Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners explains which breeds are known for reliable egg production. The best chicken feed for layers contains around 16% protein and added calcium. Switch your hens to layer feed when they start laying their first eggs. Feeding layer feed too early can stress young kidneys, so timing matters.
What Chickens Can Eat (Safe Foods)
Chickens can eat a surprisingly wide range of foods. Knowing what chickens can eat helps you use kitchen and garden scraps wisely.
| 🐔 Food | ✅ Safe for Chickens? | 📝 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Yes | Great hydration source |
| Berries (strawberries, blueberries) | Yes | High in antioxidants |
| Oats (cooked or raw) | Yes | Good energy source |
| Corn | Yes | Feed in moderation |
| Mealworms | Yes | Excellent protein boost |
| Cooked rice | Yes | Plain only, no salt or seasoning |
| Watermelon | Yes | A favorite summer treat |
| Pumpkin | Yes | Seeds act as a natural dewormer |
| Cooked vegetables | Yes | Avoid heavily seasoned leftovers |
| Apples | Yes | Remove seeds before feeding |
| Sunflower seeds | Yes | High in fat, feed sparingly |
| Eggs (cooked) | Yes | Do not feed raw or whole |
Keep treats and scraps to less than 10% of your flock’s total daily intake. Too many extras push balanced nutrition out of commercial feed.
If you’re new to keeping chickens, you may also want to read 10 Questions Every New Chicken Keeper Asks, which covers many of the most common beginner concerns.
What Not to Feed Chickens
Some foods are toxic to chickens. Knowing what not to feed chickens can help keep your birds healthy and prevent serious illness or death.
| ⚠️ Food | 🚫 Why It’s Unsafe |
|---|---|
| Avocado | Contains persin, which is toxic to birds. |
| Chocolate | Theobromine causes heart and nervous system damage. |
| Moldy food | Mold produces mycotoxins that can kill chickens. |
| Raw beans | Contain phytohemagglutinins, a deadly toxin. |
| Salty foods | Salt poisoning causes neurological symptoms. |
| Green potatoes or peels | Contain solanine, a toxic compound. |
| Onions | Can cause hemolytic anemia in large amounts. |
| Citrus fruit | May reduce egg production and cause digestive upset. |
| Rhubarb leaves | Contain oxalic acid, which is toxic. |
| Dried or undercooked beans | Carry the same toxin risk as raw beans. |
When in doubt, leave it out. Chickens are curious and will peck at almost anything you put in front of them. That curiosity can get them into trouble fast.
Kitchen Scraps Chickens Love
Feeding kitchen scraps to chickens is one of the most enjoyable parts of backyard keeping. You reduce food waste and give your birds a treat they love.
Some of the best chicken treats from the kitchen include:
- Watermelon is a summer favorite. Toss in half a melon and watch them go to town.
- Pumpkin is a fall staple. The seeds may help control intestinal worms naturally.
- Cooked vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes are all good options.
- Bread is fine in small amounts. Don’t make it a regular treat since it offers little nutritional value.
- Cooked pasta and plain cooked rice both work well as occasional snacks.
Chicken treats should account for no more than 10% of daily food intake. Think of scraps as a bonus, not a meal. Too many treats mean your birds eat less feed, and that affects egg production and overall health.
Do Chickens Need Grit and Calcium?
Yes, chickens need both grit and calcium, and many new flock owners overlook them.
Grit
Chickens don’t have teeth, so they rely on grit to help grind food in their digestive system. Small stones and coarse sand collect in the gizzard, where they help break down grains, seeds, and other tough foods.
Chickens that free-range often pick up enough natural grit while scratching in the soil. Backyard chickens that spend most of their time in a coop or enclosed run may need grit provided by their keeper.
Poultry grit is usually sold as small crushed stones designed specifically for chickens. It should be offered free-choice in a separate dish so birds can consume it as needed.
Grit is especially important if your flock eats grains, kitchen scraps, or forage. However, chickens that eat only commercial feed such as pellets or crumble may require less supplemental grit because the feed is already easy to digest.
Providing grit helps support proper digestion and keeps your chickens healthier over time.
Calcium
Calcium for chickens comes from two main sources. Layer feed includes some calcium, but many laying hens need more. Crushed oyster shell offered free-choice lets hens take what they need. Don’t mix oyster shell directly into feed for non-laying birds or chicks. Too much calcium harms young birds and roosters.
Eggshell quality tells you a lot. Thin or soft shells usually signal a calcium shortfall.
Feeding Chickens in Different Seasons
Chickens adjust their eating habits throughout the year as temperatures change. In cold weather, they burn more calories to stay warm, while in hot weather, it often reduces appetite. Adjusting your feeding routine slightly can help keep your flock healthy year-round.
| 🌤 Season | 🌾 Feeding Focus | 📝 Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Higher calorie foods | Scratch grains or corn can help birds maintain body heat overnight. |
| Spring | Balanced nutrition | Egg production often increases, so ensure hens have access to layer feed and calcium. |
| Summer | Hydrating foods | Offer watermelon, cucumbers, and fresh greens to help chickens stay cool. |
| Fall | Protein support | Molting chickens benefit from extra protein such as mealworms. |
While chickens can maintain a steady diet year-round, small seasonal adjustments help keep the flock comfortable and productive.
Winter Feeding Tips
To stay warm, chickens burn more calories in cold weather. Feeding chickens in winter means offering a little extra grain in the evening. Corn, in moderation, and scratch grain raise body temperature as they digest overnight.
Make sure the water stays unfrozen. A water heater is highly recommended. Chickens won’t eat if they can’t drink, and heated waterers are worth the investment in freezing climates.
Summer Feeding Tips
Feeding chickens in summer means keeping things cool and light. Heat reduces appetite, so offer feed in the cooler morning and evening hours. Cold treats like frozen fruit or chilled watermelon help birds stay cool. Avoid high-energy grains like corn in peak heat. Check waterers multiple times a day since hens drink twice as much in hot weather.
How Often Should You Feed Chickens?
Most adult chickens eat about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of feed per day, depending on breed, activity level, and whether they can forage. The chart below shows typical feeding amounts for backyard chickens.
| 🐔 Chicken Type | 🌾 Feed Per Day | 📝 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicks (0–8 weeks) | Free-choice starter feed | Chicks eat small amounts frequently throughout the day. |
| Growing pullets | About 1/4 lb per bird | Use grower feed until they begin laying eggs. |
| Laying hens | 1/4 to 1/3 lb per bird | Layer feed should make up most of their diet. |
| Free-range chickens | Slightly less feed | They supplement their diet with insects and forage. |
Treats go out at most once a day. More than that, birds start holding out for the good stuff instead of eating their feed. Water is non-negotiable. A hen can stop laying within 24 hours of going without water.
Final Thoughts on Feeding Chickens
Understanding what chickens eat and providing a balanced diet are among the most important aspects of keeping a healthy backyard flock. Start with a quality commercial feed that matches your birds’ age and stage of life, and keep safe kitchen scraps and treats to a minimum. Always keep fresh water available and adjust feed for seasonal changes. Watch your flock for signs of nutritional gaps.
Chickens are forgiving birds, but they do best with a consistent routine and a diet built on solid nutrition. Get the feed right, and everything else falls into place.