A Complete Guide to All Types of Chicken Feed

Choosing the right type of chicken feed helps keep your flock healthy, productive, and thriving. Whether you’re raising chicks, layers, or broilers, the best type of chicken feed depends on their age, nutritional needs, and whether your goal is egg production or raising meat birds.

Chicks need high-protein starter feed for fast growth, while layers benefit from feed rich in calcium to strengthen eggshells. For meat birds, finisher feed supports muscle development without adding too much fat.

The right type of chicken feed supports your flock’s health, egg production, and growth. Poor feed can lead to problems like weak eggshells or feather pecking. Always choose fresh, high-quality feed and store it properly to avoid mould and toxins.

No matter which feed you choose, having the right feeding setup is just as important. A Dine-A-Chook Chicken Feeder helps keep feed clean and reduces waste.

Chicken Feed for Every Stage of Life

Each stage of a chicken's life demands specific nutrition to support growth, health, and productivity.

The ingredients, protein levels, and even the form of the feed are designed to meet these changing needs. Let's take a closer look at the chicken feed types that match each life stage of your flock.

Chick Starter Feed (1-6 Weeks)

For chicks, starter feed is vital as it provides the high protein (20-22%) necessary for rapid growth and development in their first weeks of life.

Chicks are especially vulnerable to disease during this period, which is why some starter feeds include a low-level medication such as amprolium to protect against coccidiosis, a common and often deadly parasitic infection. If you prefer a natural approach, some feeds also include oregano, a known natural preventative for coccidiosis and salmonella. Medicated starter feeds should never be fed to laying hens.

Starter feed is typically provided in a mash or fine crumble form, which is easy for small chicks to eat and digest. During this period, chicks must have constant access to feed and fresh water. Be sure to also check your feeders regularly to ensure they are clean and not attracting pests.

Adding a supplement like Mega Mineral to the water can provide additional nutrients that support bone development and overall health during this critical stage.

Grower Poultry Feed (6-18 Weeks)

Once chicks hit six weeks of age, they are ready to transition to grower feed.

This feed contains a lower protein content, typically around 16-18%, which allows for steady growth without the risk of excessive weight gain that could strain their developing bones. Grower feed also has a more balanced mix of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support their development until they are ready for layer feed.

It’s important to avoid giving layer feed to birds under 18 weeks, as the high calcium levels in layer feed can cause kidney damage in younger birds. This can lead to serious health issues later in life, especially during the stress of egg-laying.

If grower feed is not available, it’s better to continue feeding starter feed rather than risking calcium overload. However, you should not feed medicated starter feed after about 16 weeks and we usually switch to non-medicated starter around pullet stage (6-12 weeks).

Using a Dine-A-Chook Chicken Feeder keeps feed fresh and free from droppings and other contaminants.

Layer Feed (18+ Weeks)

When your hens reach point-of-lay, it’s time to switch them to layer feed. Point-of-lay varies depending on the chicken breed. ISA Browns can come into lay as early as 12 weeks, whereas most breeds are between 18 and 22 weeks when they begin laying.

The calcium in layer feed is essential for egg production, but it is not healthy for pullets that aren't yet laying. If possible, you want to start your chickens on layer feed a couple of weeks before they begin egg production. Look up your chicken breed and talk to the breeder to determine when best to start your hens on layer feed.

Layer feed is lower in protein than grower feed (around 15-19%) but is fortified with calcium (about 4%) to support strong eggshell formation. Layer feed also contains a blend of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, which helps chickens absorb calcium more efficiently.

Layer feed comes in a variety of forms, but we always recommend a pellet or a mash to ensure your chickens get a balanced diet to promote healthy egg production.

Adult chickens also require free access to grit at all times for healthy digestion.

In addition to layer feed, adding a supplement like Optomega Feed Supplement can improve the omega-3 content of their eggs, which is great for both hen health and egg quality. This is especially important for backyard keepers who want nutrient-rich eggs for their own consumption.

Finisher Feed (Last Weeks for Meat Birds)

Finisher feed is used during the final weeks before processing meat birds.

It’s designed to promote healthy weight gain without adding excessive fat, helping produce leaner, tastier meat.

Finisher feed typically has a protein content of around 15-18% and is higher in energy from fats and carbohydrates, supporting rapid weight gain in the last phase. It’s usually offered in pellet form, which is easier for larger meat birds to consume.

Broiler Feed (For Meat Chickens)

Broilers are bred for fast growth and need feed that supports this rapid development.

Broiler feed contains high levels of protein (18-20%) to promote muscle growth and energy for fattening. It often includes coccidiostats to prevent common diseases in broilers and is usually provided in larger pellets that are easier for big, fast-growing chickens to eat.

For meat production, it’s essential to keep broilers on this specially formulated feed for fast growth. Overfeeding or feeding the wrong type of feed can lead to excessive fat, negatively impacting the meat quality.

Specialised Feeds for Unique Needs

Sometimes your flock requires more than just the standard chicken feed, especially if they have specific health needs or you want to opt for natural feeding methods.

Specialised poultry feeds cater to these unique situations.

Maintenance Feed

Maintenance feed is designed for chickens that are not laying eggs or for those that are past their prime.

Hens that have stopped laying or roosters don’t need the extra calcium found in layer feed, and too much of it can cause health problems.

Maintenance feed provides a balanced mix of energy and protein (usually around 12-14%) without the added calcium, keeping older or inactive birds healthy without burdening their bodies with unnecessary nutrients. 

That said, most backyard flocks include chickens of different ages, some of which no longer produce eggs, along with a rooster, and the majority of the time they can be fed a layer feed without major issues. A maintenance feed is really only practical where non-productive birds are kept separately from layers.

This feed is perfect for off-season flocks. Pair it with a Dine-A-Chook Chicken Feeder to ensure clean, efficient feeding.

Medicated Feed

Medicated feed, commonly used for young chicks and broilers, includes coccidiostats to prevent coccidiosis, a dangerous parasitic infection. Young chicks are particularly susceptible to coccidia, which are present in all environments, so starting off with medicated feed helps build their immunity until they are a bit bigger and less vulnerable.

It’s essential to follow the recommended usage, including not giving medicated feed to laying hens as it may leave residues in eggs. 

Medicated feed is a preventative. If you're dealing with a coccidiosis infection, treatments like Amprolium will be needed to control the disease.

Organic Chicken Feed

Organic chicken feed is free from synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, and artificial additives. It’s ideal for raising chickens naturally, aiming for chemical-free eggs and meat. Organic feed is made using ingredients grown without chemicals.

While it can be more expensive, many chicken owners choose organic feed to ensure they are producing the healthiest eggs possible.

Non-GMO Chicken Feed

Non-GMO feed avoids genetically modified ingredients, offering a natural alternative for your flock. It doesn’t contain genetically engineered crops, such as certain corn or soy varieties. In Australian, organic feeds are always free from GMOs.

This feed is available in both crumble and pellet forms, and it usually comes with a higher price tag compared to basic chicken feed.

Exploring Alternative Feed Types for Your Chickens

Looking to add variety to your flock’s diet? These alternative feeding options offer extra nutrition and can keep your chickens happy and healthy.

Fermented Feed

Fermenting chicken feed can improve digestion and gut health by introducing good bacteria into their diet. It also makes the feed easier to break down, so your chickens absorb more nutrients.

You can ferment commercial feeds like layer pellets or mash. Just make sure to keep it clean and safe. Using Salgard Feed Hygiene Liquid helps maintain freshness and quality throughout fermentation.

Wet Feed or Soaked Feed

Wet feed, or soaked feed, can be a good option for chickens, especially during hot weather or for birds that struggle with dry feed.

By adding water to pellets or mash, you make it easier for chickens to digest the nutrients. However, wet feed spoils quickly, so it’s important to clean up any uneaten feed to avoid attracting pests or mould.

If you decide to try wet feeding, mix only small amounts and keep it fresh. In Australia's climate, wet feed only lasts a few hours. It also tends to attract flies.

Whole Grain Feed

Many chicken keepers believe whole grain feed provides a more natural option for chickens, similar to what they’d find if foraging. 

While there are benefits to adding some grains to their diet, chickens should always be fed a mash or pellet feed as their main feed. Grain mixes encourage chickens to eat more of some grains than others, leading to nutrient imbalances and deficiencies. Certain grains such as corn and sunflower seeds can also cause chicken obesity.

If you are going to give whole grains to your chickens, only do so a couple of times a week. The grains should be seen as a treat, fed separately from their normal feed and only in small quantities.

Remember, chickens need grit to digest whole grains properly. 

Chicken Scratch

Scratch is a mix of grains, seeds, and cracked corn that chickens love to forage for. It keeps them busy and encourages natural behaviours, especially when free-ranging isn’t an option. However, scratch is low in nutrients and high in carbs, so it should only be a treat. Read more about scratch mix.

Always balance their diet with quality feed, and use scratch sparingly to keep your flock in good health.

Choosing the Right Feed Form: Pellets, Mash, or Crumble

When you use a Dine-A-Chook Chicken Feeder, feed waste is not an issue with pellets, mash or crumbles. However, some other feeders might be more prone to feed waste. If you choose a grain mix, waste will be an issues no matter what feeder you use as chickens will only eat the grains they prefer and leave the rest.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each form to help you decide what form of chicken food is best for your flock.

Pellet Feed

Pellets are a popular choice for many chicken keepers because they’re compact and easy to store.

The uniform shape of pellets helps reduce waste, as chickens are less likely to scratch them out of feeders. With each bite, your flock gets a balanced mix of nutrients since the feed is processed to include everything they need in one solid form.

Pellets are especially good for adult chickens and layers, helping maintain good egg production and overall health.

Mash Feed

Mash is finely ground and works well for chicks or chickens that may struggle with eating larger pellets. Since mash is loose and not compressed, it’s easier to eat and digest, especially for younger birds.

However, mash can be messy. Chickens tend to scatter it around, leading to more waste. It’s great for mixing with water to create a wet feed, but keep in mind that it can spoil quickly if left out.

Crumble Feed

Crumble feed falls between mash and pellets in size.

It’s ideal for younger chickens that are transitioning from mash to pellets, providing them with something easier to eat while still delivering balanced nutrition.

Crumbles are less likely to be wasted compared to mash, but they can still get scattered if not properly managed.

Whatever feed form you choose, using a Dine-A-Chook Chicken Feeder can help reduce waste, keep feed clean, and make feeding more efficient for your flock.

Feeding Tips for a Healthy Flock

No matter which chicken food type you choose, a few simple practices can help keep your flock healthy. Fresh water is essential—especially during hot Australian summers when your chickens need more to stay cool. Make sure their feeders are clean and free from mould or pests, as spoiled feed can cause serious health issues.

Reading feed labels is important. For example, layer feed contains higher calcium levels, while starter feed is rich in protein to support growth. You can make things easier by using an automatic water feeder to provide a constant supply of fresh water.

Maintaining feed hygiene is critical. Salgard Feed Hygiene Liquid helps keep your feed fresh and safe from bacteria and mould, especially in humid weather, where spoilage is a bigger risk.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Feed for Your Chickens

Choosing the right feed for your chickens depends on their age, health, and purpose—whether they’re layers or raised for meat.

Providing the right balance of nutrients at each stage of life keeps them healthy and productive. Don’t hesitate to explore mineral and vitamin supplements to meet their unique needs.

For overall health and to improve egg production, consider adding Mega Mineral and Optomega Feed Supplement to their diet. These supplements help support strong bones, healthy feathers, and nutrient-rich eggs.