Chicken Feed by Age Chart: Starter, Grower & Layer
A chicken feed by age chart showing starter, grower, and layer feed by week, with protein and calcium levels and exactly when to switch feeds as your flock grows.
Quick answer: Feed chick starter (18-20% protein, low calcium) from hatch to about 6 weeks, grower feed (16-18% protein, low calcium) from 6 to 18 weeks, and switch to layer feed (16% protein, ~4% calcium) at point of lay, around 18 weeks or when the first egg appears. The golden rule is never feed layer feed to non-laying birds, because the high calcium can damage their kidneys and bones. Offer grit to any bird eating more than fine feed, and oyster shell separately for laying hens.
Use the chart below to match the right feed and protein level to your flock's age.
Feeding the right ration at the right age is one of the simplest ways to raise a healthy, productive flock. Chicks need extra protein for rapid growth, growing pullets need balanced nutrition without excess calcium, and laying hens need the calcium that builds strong eggshells. The chart below lays out the standard feeding stages by age, with typical protein levels and the key calcium rule for each phase. Always provide fresh, clean water alongside feed at every stage.
Chicken Feed by Age Chart
| Age | Feed Type | Protein | Calcium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 weeks | Chick starter | 18-20% | Low (~1%) | Medicated or unmedicated; free-choice from day one |
| 6-18 weeks | Grower (or starter-grower) | 16-18% | Low (~1%) | Steady growth; keep calcium low until laying |
| 18+ weeks (point of lay) | Layer feed | ~16% | ~4% | Switch at first egg; offer oyster shell separately |
| Mixed-age flock (any age) | All-flock / flock-raiser | 18-20% | Low (~1%) | Safe for all; provide free-choice oyster shell for layers |
| Meat birds, 0-3 weeks | Broiler / meat-bird starter | 20-22% | Low | High protein for fast growth |
| Meat birds, 3+ weeks | Broiler / meat-bird finisher | 18-20% | Low | Manage growth to avoid leg and heart strain |
| Molting hens | Higher-protein layer or all-flock | 18-20% | ~4% (or shell on side) | Extra protein supports feather regrowth |
Two supplements run alongside these feeds. Grit, which is hard insoluble stone, belongs in front of any bird eating grass, scraps, or whole grains, because chickens have no teeth and grind food in the gizzard using stored grit. Oyster shell, a soluble calcium source, is offered separately and only matters for laying hens, who self-regulate how much they take for strong shells. Keep the two clearly separate, since grit aids digestion for all birds while oyster shell supplies calcium that can harm non-laying birds in excess.
Key Feeding Rules by Stage
- Start high-protein. Chicks need 18 to 20 percent protein starter for healthy early growth.
- Keep calcium low until laying. Never feed layer feed to chicks, pullets, roosters, or non-laying birds.
- Switch at the first egg. Move to layer feed at point of lay, transitioning over several days.
- Offer grit and oyster shell correctly. Grit for any bird eating more than fine feed; oyster shell separately for layers.
- Feed mixed flocks an all-flock ration. Use flock-raiser plus side oyster shell when ages and types are mixed.
Feeding the right ration for your flock's age keeps birds growing and laying well, but watch for clues that something is off. Poor growth, soft or thin eggshells, feather problems, or weight changes can signal a feed, calcium, or health issue. For persistent problems, your local agricultural extension office and a poultry veterinarian can help you fine-tune nutrition. This chart is educational and complements that hands-on guidance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I feed baby chicks?
Feed day-old chicks a complete chick starter feed, which runs about 18 to 20 percent protein and is formulated for their rapid early growth. Offer it free-choice from day one along with constant access to fresh, clean water. Many keepers use a medicated starter, which contains amraprolium to help prevent coccidiosis, though unmedicated is fine if chicks are vaccinated for coccidiosis or kept very clean. Chicks do not need anything else those first weeks except grit if they eat anything other than starter. Keep the feed dry and refresh it often.
When do I switch from starter to grower feed?
Move chicks from starter to grower feed at around 6 to 8 weeks of age. Grower feed has slightly less protein, about 16 to 18 percent, and supports steady growth without the higher protein needed in the first weeks. Some products combine the two as a starter-grower fed from hatch to point of lay, which simplifies things. The key point during the grower stage is that calcium stays low, since high calcium can harm the kidneys and bones of birds that are not yet laying. Continue free-choice feeding and fresh water.
When should chickens start layer feed?
Switch pullets to layer feed at point of lay, around 18 weeks, or when the first egg appears, whichever comes first. Layer feed provides about 16 percent protein and roughly 4 percent calcium for strong eggshells. The most important rule is not to feed layer feed too early, because the high calcium can damage the kidneys and bones of young, non-laying birds. Transition over several days by mixing increasing amounts of layer feed into the grower feed. Offer crushed oyster shell separately so heavy layers can top up calcium as needed.
Do meat birds need different feed?
Yes. Meat birds such as Cornish Cross grow extremely fast and need a high-protein broiler or meat-bird feed, often 20 to 22 percent protein for starter and around 18 to 20 percent for finisher, to support that rapid muscle growth. This is higher than what laying breeds need. Feeding programs for broilers are also managed carefully to avoid leg and heart problems from growing too fast. If you raise both layers and meat birds, feed them their respective rations, or use a flexible all-flock feed with separate calcium for the layers.
What is all-flock or flock-raiser feed?
All-flock or flock-raiser feed is a single ration formulated to feed mixed groups, such as hens, roosters, chicks past the starter stage, and other poultry together. It typically runs about 18 to 20 percent protein with low calcium, so it is safe for non-laying birds, with oyster shell offered separately for the layers. It is popular with keepers who have mixed ages and types and do not want to manage several feeds. The trade-off is you must provide free-choice calcium for laying hens, since the feed itself does not supply enough for shells.
Do chickens need grit and oyster shell?
These are two different supplements. Grit is small, hard stone that birds store in the gizzard to grind food, and any chicken eating anything beyond fine commercial feed, such as grass, scraps, or whole grains, needs access to it. Oyster shell is a calcium source for laying hens only, offered separately so each hen takes what she needs for strong shells. Do not confuse the two: grit aids digestion and is for all birds, while oyster shell supplies calcium and should not be given to chicks, non-laying birds, or roosters in quantity.
How much should I feed my chickens?
Most keepers feed free-choice, leaving a complete ration available so birds eat to their needs, which supports growth and laying. A standard adult hen eats roughly a quarter pound of feed a day, about half a cup, and chicks eat smaller amounts that increase as they grow. Free-choice works well with a no-waste feeder that keeps feed dry and out of reach of pests. Keep treats and scratch to no more than about 10 percent of the diet so they do not dilute the balanced nutrition of the main feed.
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