Best chicken feed for laying hens
The best feed for laying hens is a complete layer ration at 16–18% crude proteinwith supplemental calcium offered separately. Brand matters less than freshness and formulation; whatever fresh, properly-formulated layer feed your local store stocks (Purina Layena, Nutrena Country Feeds, Kalmbach, your feed mill's house blend) is the right answer. Format (pellets, crumble, mash) is preference. The non-negotiables are protein spec, freshness, and oyster shell on the side.
What “layer ration” actually means
A layer ration is a complete formulated feed for hens in active egg production. Three things distinguish it from other feeds:
- 16–18% crude protein. Above starter/grower (also 18%+ for chicks), at parity with most all-flock feeds, higher than scratch grain (10–12%).
- 3.5–4.5% calcium, sourced from limestone or oyster-shell flour added to the formulation. Layers need roughly 4 grams of calcium per egg shell; that's ~10× what a meat bird or chick needs.
- Methionine and lysine balanced for egg-protein synthesis. These two amino acids are the bottleneck nutrients for laying production; under-supplied hens drop lay rate within 2–3 weeks.
Anything labeled “layer” from a major mill (Purina, Nutrena, Kalmbach, Manna Pro, regional house brands) hits these three. Anything labeled “all-flock”, “flock raiser”, “multi-flock”, or “maintenance” runs lower on calcium and is wrong for active layers.
Format: pellets vs crumble vs mash
| Format | Waste | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pellets | Lowest (5–15%) | Easiest, low dust | Default for adult layers |
| Crumble | Medium (15–25%) | Moderate dust | Pullet transition, mixed flocks |
| Mash | Highest (25–40%) | Dust-heavy, harder | Fermenting, palatability |
| Fermented mash | Low (mash but eaten) | Daily prep required | Hobbyist optimization |
For a beginner backyard flock: pellets in 50-lb bags. Period. Revisit format only if you have a specific reason (chicks transitioning, picky breeds, fermentation interest).
Calcium supplementation (do this)
The single most-skipped step in beginner feed routines: offer crushed oyster shell free-choice.Layer feed contains calcium, but active layers at peak production (250+ eggs/year breeds like Sex-Links, Leghorns) draw down body calcium reserves faster than the feed alone replenishes. Hens self-regulate oyster shell intake — they take exactly what they need. Without it, you'll see thin-shelled eggs, rubber eggs (no shell at all), and over time, brittle bones on the hens themselves.
A 5-lb bag of crushed oyster shell costs $4–6 and lasts a 6-bird flock 3–4 months. Set it in a small dish near the feeder. Don't mix into the feed; let hens self-regulate.
Storage: don't over-buy
Open feed loses palatability and nutritional value within 4–6 weeks. Vitamins (A, D, E) degrade fastest; protein quality drops next. By 8 weeks open, the feed is detectably stale and hens reduce intake — which drops lay rate. Don't buy more than a month of feed at a time unless storage conditions are excellent.
Storage that works: galvanized metal trash can with a tight-fitting lid, in a cool dry shaded location. Protects against rodents (which eat 1–2 lb/day per rat from open feeders), moisture (which molds within 3 days), and heat (which accelerates vitamin breakdown).
What to skip (overpriced or unnecessary)
- “Organic” layer feed at 2–3× the price. Organic certification covers pesticide and synthetic-fertilizer inputs, not nutritional spec. Conventional non-organic layer feed at the same protein percentage produces functionally identical eggs. The premium is your call; it doesn't improve flock health.
- Layer feed with added probiotics or essential oils. Marketing premium. The base layer ration plus normal access-to-soil immunity is sufficient for healthy backyard flocks. Clinical evidence for backyard-flock probiotic benefit is thin.
- Scratch grain as the primary feed.Scratch is 10–12% protein, no balanced amino acids, no calcium. It's a treat (10–15% of the daily intake), not a ration. Hens fed primarily on scratch crash lay rates within a month and become seriously deficient.
- Custom DIY whole-grain blends without nutritional consulting. Possible to do well; possible to do badly. The economics rarely beat a commercial layer feed unless you grow your own grain. Start with bag feed; revisit DIY only after 1–2 years of stable flock keeping.
How much to buy at a time
A 6-hen layer flock eats roughly 1.3–2.0 lb/day combined, or 40–60 lb/month. A 50-lb bag covers 25–35 days. A 12-hen flock eats 2.6–4.0 lb/day, or 80–120 lb/month — two 50-lb bags per month, or one bag every 13–18 days.
Run the math for your specific flock in the feed amount calculator. It outputs lb/day, lb/week, lb/month, recommended bag size, and reorder cadence based on flock count, life stage, and free-range supplement.
Frequently asked
What is the best chicken feed for laying hens?
A complete layer ration at 16–18% crude protein with supplemental calcium (oyster shell). The format (pellets, crumble, mash) is preference; the formulation is what matters. Whatever brand is fresh and locally available — Purina Layena, Nutrena Country Feeds, Scratch and Peck, or your feed mill's house layer blend — works as long as it hits the protein + calcium spec. Skip anything labeled 'all-flock' or 'flock raiser' for hens that have started laying — those run lower protein and less calcium than layers need.
Pellets, crumble, or mash — which feed format is best?
Pellets are the default. Less waste, easier storage, no dust. Crumble (broken pellets) is fine and actually better for younger pullets transitioning from grower. Mash is fresh-ground meal — slightly better palatability, much higher waste because hens flick it. Fermented mash is a hobbyist favorite that improves digestibility but requires daily prep. For a beginner backyard flock, buy pellets in 50-lb bags; revisit format only if you have a specific reason.
What protein percentage do laying hens need?
16% minimum, 18% target. The published Cooperative Extension figure for a complete layer ration is 16–18% crude protein, with 18% recommended for active layers in production. Lower-protein 'layer mash' feeds at 14% don't sustain consistent laying — hens drop production by week 2-3 on under-protein feed. During molt (annual feather regrowth), bump to 20% protein for 6–8 weeks; molting birds need extra amino acids for feather construction.
Do laying hens need supplemental calcium?
Yes — separately from the feed. Layer feed contains calcium carbonate, but laying hens at peak production need more calcium than the feed alone provides for consistent hard shells. The standard practice: offer crushed oyster shell free-choice in a separate dish. Hens self-regulate intake — they take what they need. Without supplemental calcium, eggs progressively get thinner shells (sometimes shell-less), and the hen pulls calcium from her own bones. Don't rely on layer feed alone.
Should chickens free-range instead of eating commercial feed?
No, they need both. Free-range forage varies enormously by season — lush spring pasture is calorie-rich and protein-adequate; dry summer grass is mostly fiber. Calcium availability from foraged sources is essentially zero for most backyard pastures. Without supplemental layer feed, free-ranging hens chronically under-eat protein and calcium, which crashes lay rates and produces thin-shelled eggs. Treat free-range as a 20–50% supplement to the calorie budget; the bag is still the foundation of the ration.
How long does a 50-lb bag of layer feed last?
About 25–35 days for a flock of 6 standard hens (consuming 1.3–2.0 lb/day combined), or 13–18 days for 12 hens. Open feed loses palatability and nutritional value within 4–6 weeks; don't buy more than a month of feed at a time unless you have a sealed metal storage container. Heated humid storage accelerates rancidity faster than cold dry storage.
Related
- Feed amount calculator →
- How much feed per chicken per day →
- Chicken feed types explained →
- Coop size calculator →
- Methodology + sources →
By Jimmy L Wu. Reviewed 2026-05-01. Layer protein spec (16–18%) and calcium baseline anchored on Alabama Cooperative Extension System ANR-2913 and UMN Extension. Format and brand recommendations reflect 2026 retail availability at standard feed-store distribution. Storage and reorder math from the HatchMath feed amount calculator engine. Not veterinary advice — for sick birds or any animal-health emergency, consult an avian or livestock veterinarian, or your county Cooperative Extension office.