Feeding
Practical, research-based guides to feeding backyard chickens: complete feed by life stage, grit and calcium, treats, scratch, free-ranging, and the best feeders and waterers.
What to Feed Chickens
The complete picture: a 90 percent complete-feed diet, grit, oyster shell, treats, and fresh water, in the right balance for a healthy flock.
Read guide →Layer Feed Guide
Everything about layer feed for hens in lay: when to switch, the 16 percent protein and calcium specs, pellets vs crumbles, and how much to feed.
Read guide →Starter and Grower Feed
Feeding chicks and pullets right: protein levels by age, medicated vs non-medicated starter, chick grit, and when to switch to layer feed.
Read guide →Healthy Chicken Treats
The best treats for backyard chickens, from mealworms and black soldier fly larvae to greens and treat blocks, plus the all-important 10 percent rule.
Read guide →What Chickens Can and Cannot Eat
A clear safe-and-unsafe food list: which fruits, vegetables, and scraps are safe, and the toxic foods to never feed your flock.
Read guide →Scratch Grains for Chickens
What scratch is, why it is a treat and not a feed, how much to give, and how to use it for winter warmth and foraging enrichment.
Read guide →Grit and Oyster Shell Explained
The two supplements keepers confuse most: grit grinds food in the gizzard, oyster shell supplies calcium for shells. Who needs each and how to offer them.
Read guide →Free-Ranging Chickens
The benefits for eggs and behavior, the predator and garden risks, fencing options, and why ranging birds still need complete feed.
Read guide →How Much to Feed Chickens
Daily feed amounts per hen, free-feeding vs scheduled meals, winter increases, flock planning figures, and how to read body condition.
Read guide →Best Chicken Feeders
No-waste port feeders, treadle, hanging, and large hoppers compared on waste reduction, rodent control, and ease of use for backyard flocks.
Read guide →Best Chicken Waterers
Insulated founts, nipple buckets, cup systems, and heated winter waterers compared on cleanliness, capacity, and freeze protection.
Read guide →Table Scraps for Chickens
Which kitchen leftovers are safe to feed, which to avoid, the 10 percent rule, and why grit matters for digesting scraps.
Read guide →Backyard Chicken Keepers Planner
10 printable worksheets to track your flock's health, eggs, feed, and coop care.
Get the Planner for $39