Chicken feed types, explained
Chicken feed splits into five types matched to life stage and purpose: starter (chicks 0–8 wks), grower (pullets 8–18 wks), layer (hens in production), all-flock (mixed-age baseline), and scratch (treat, not a ration). Within each type, the protein percentage matters more than the brand. The five types differ in protein, calcium, and (for starter) medication.
The five feed types at a glance
| Feed type | Use for | Protein | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Chicks 0–8 wks | ≥18% (often 20%) | Low (no added) |
| Grower / Pullet | Pullets 8–18 wks | ~16% | Low (no added) |
| Layer | Active layers 18+ wks | 16–18% | 3.5–4.5% (added) |
| All-flock | Mixed-age baseline | 18–20% | Low + oyster shell side |
| Scratch | Treat only (≤15%) | 10–12% | None |
Starter (0–8 weeks)
High-protein, low-calcium feed for newly-hatched chicks. The baseline is ≥18% crude protein; some brands run 20% for the first 2 weeks and step down. Calcium content is intentionally low — chicks fed adult layer feed develop kidney damage from excess calcium they can't excrete.
Two starter formulations exist: medicated (contains amprolium, a coccidiostat preventing coccidiosis) and unmedicated. Use medicated if your chicks weren't vaccinated against coccidiosis at the hatchery; use unmedicated if they were (the medication interferes with the vaccine). Confirm vaccination status before you buy.
Grower / Pullet (8–18 weeks)
Step-down from starter. ~16% crude protein, still no added calcium. The pullet is putting on body mass, developing reproductive infrastructure, and approaching point-of-lay; the grower formulation supports growth without the calcium load that adult layers need.
Some keepers skip grower entirely — switching from starter directly to layer at 18 weeks. Workable but not optimal: starter runs higher protein than necessary for 8–18 wk pullets, and adult layer feed before point-of-lay loads developing kidneys with calcium. The cleanest path: starter → grower → layer.
Layer (18+ weeks, in production)
The active-layer ration. 16–18% protein, 3.5–4.5% calcium (sourced from limestone or oyster-shell flour added to the formulation), balanced for methionine and lysine — the two amino acids that bottleneck egg-protein synthesis.
Standard practice is to offer crushed oyster shell free-choice in a separate dish alongside layer feed. Layer feed contains calcium, but active layers at peak production draw down body calcium reserves faster than the feed alone provides. Hens self-regulate oyster-shell intake; rooster and non-layer birds ignore it. Without the supplement, shells go thin and the hen pulls calcium from her own bones.
All-flock / Multi-flock / Flock Raiser
A higher-protein, low-calcium baseline ration sold as a one-bag-fits-all simplifier. Typically 18–20% protein with minimal added calcium. Safe for chicks, pullets, roosters, and layers as a base feed.
Catch: layers need supplemental calcium that all-flock doesn't carry. The fix is offering free-choice oyster shell on the side. Many keepers run all-flock + oyster shell year-round to simplify feed storage — one bag covers the entire flock's feed needs, oyster shell sits in a separate dish, hens take what they need.
The downside: all-flock runs higher protein than active layers actually need at peak production, which is mildly inefficient (slightly more expensive feed than necessary). For single-purpose layer-only flocks, dedicated layer feed is cheaper and matches the spec better.
Scratch grain (treat, not a ration)
Cracked corn, milo, oats, wheat, sometimes black-oil sunflower seeds. Treat-grade nutrition: 10–12% protein, no balanced amino acids, no calcium. Use scratch as up to 15% of daily intake, not as a primary feed. About 1/4 cup per bird per day is the right ratio.
Best uses: scattered in the run for foraging enrichment, thrown on deep-litter bedding to encourage scratching (which turns the litter and aerates the compost layer), winter bedtime treat (the digestion of cracked corn generates a small amount of body heat overnight). Don't use it as the ration — flocks fed primarily on scratch crash within a month.
Specialty types worth knowing about
- Broiler / Meat Bird Starter— 22–24% protein, formulated for fast-growth meat breeds (Cornish Cross). Don't feed to layer chicks; the high protein accelerates growth in a way layers' bones can't keep up with.
- Game Bird / Turkey Starter — 24–28% protein. For turkey poults, pheasants, quail. Suitable for chicken chicks in a pinch, but more expensive than chicken-specific starter.
- Molt-recovery / 20% Layer — bumped to 20% protein for the 6–12 week annual molt window. Feather regrowth is protein-intensive; the bump shortens recovery time. Drop back to 16–18% layer when molt completes.
- Soy-free, Non-GMO, Organic— input choices (pesticide / GMO / soy presence). Same nutritional spec as conventional at the same protein percentage. Personal preference; doesn't change flock health.
Run the math for your specific flock
Once you've picked a feed type, the feed amount calculator outputs the lb/day, lb/week, and lb/month for your flock, plus recommended bag size and reorder cadence. Match the life stage in the calculator to the feed type you're running.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between starter, grower, and layer feed?
Protein percentage and calcium content. Starter (chicks 0–8 weeks) is ≥18% crude protein, no added calcium — chicks need protein for growth, calcium would damage developing kidneys. Grower (pullets 8–18 weeks) is ~16% protein, still no added calcium. Layer (active layers 18+ weeks) is 16–18% protein with 3.5–4.5% calcium added for shell production. Feeding layer feed to chicks or growers causes kidney damage from excess calcium.
Can I just feed all-flock to everyone?
Mostly yes, with one caveat. All-flock (or 'flock raiser', 'multi-flock') is 18–20% protein with low calcium — safe for chicks, pullets, roosters, and layers as a base ration. The catch: layers need supplemental calcium that all-flock doesn't include. The fix is offering free-choice oyster shell separately. Hens self-regulate; non-laying birds (roosters, chicks) ignore it. Many keepers run all-flock + oyster shell year-round to simplify storage; it works.
Is scratch grain a complete feed?
No. Scratch is a treat (10–12% protein, low calcium, no balanced amino acids), not a ration. Use scratch as 10–15% of daily intake at most — about 1/4 cup per bird per day. Hens fed primarily on scratch crash lay rates within a month and become protein- and calcium-deficient. The best use: scattered in the run as enrichment, or thrown on deep litter to encourage turning.
Should I switch to organic, soy-free, or non-GMO feed?
Personal preference. Organic certification covers the inputs (pesticides, synthetic fertilizers); it doesn't change the nutritional spec — a 16% protein conventional layer feed and a 16% protein organic layer feed produce functionally identical eggs. Soy-free reduces a common allergen for some keepers; the protein gets replaced with peas or fish meal. Non-GMO is similar — input choice, not a nutritional benefit. None of these change flock health or egg quality at the same protein percentage.
What's the difference between pellets, crumble, and mash?
Form factor only — same nutrition. Pellets are extruded compressed feed (lowest waste, easiest storage). Crumble is broken pellets (medium dust, easier for younger pullets). Mash is fresh-ground meal (highest waste, dustiest, but better palatability). Fermented mash is mash soaked in water for 1–3 days — improves digestibility but requires daily prep. For a beginner backyard flock: pellets in 50-lb bags, period.
What's medicated chick starter and do I need it?
Medicated chick starter contains amprolium, a coccidiostat that prevents coccidiosis (a parasitic intestinal disease that kills chicks rapidly). Use it for the first 8 weeks if your chicks have not been vaccinated against coccidiosis at the hatchery. If your chicks were vaccinated, use unmedicated starter — the medication interferes with the vaccine. Read the hatchery shipping paperwork or call to confirm vaccination status before buying starter.
Related
- Feed amount calculator →
- Best chicken feed for laying hens →
- How much feed per chicken per day →
- Raising chicks from day 1 →
- Methodology + sources →
By Jimmy L Wu. Reviewed 2026-05-01. Protein and calcium specifications anchored on Alabama Cooperative Extension System ANR-2913 and UMN Extension. Brand examples reflect 2026 retail availability at standard feed-store distribution. Not veterinary advice — for sick birds or any animal-health emergency, consult an avian or livestock veterinarian, or your county Cooperative Extension office.