Chicken pellets
Chicken pellets are the main everyday feed for most kept chickens, formulated to be nutritionally complete on their own rather than needing constant supplementing. The two most important distinctions are age — chick, grower or layer — and whether the pellet is formulated for birds that are actively laying eggs, since laying hens have noticeably higher calcium needs than non-layers.
Layer pellets are for laying hens specifically
Layer pellets are formulated with the extra calcium a hen needs to produce strong eggshells, and are appropriate once hens start laying, usually from around 16-20 weeks depending on breed. Feeding layer pellets to younger, non-laying birds gives them more calcium than they need at that stage, which is why age-appropriate feed matters rather than buying one bag for the whole flock regardless of age.
Growers' pellets are formulated for younger birds that are not yet laying, with a different balance suited to growth rather than egg production, and should be used until hens are ready to move onto layer feed.
How much to actually feed
As a rough guide, a typical laying hen eats around 120-150g of pellets a day, though this varies with breed size, activity and the weather, with birds eating more in cold weather to maintain body temperature. Feeding ad-lib from a proper poultry feeder that keeps pellets dry and off the ground works better for most small flocks than rationing out a fixed amount by hand.
Pellets should make up the large majority of the diet, with mixed corn, grit and any treats kept as a smaller supplement rather than the main feed.
Grit is separate from the pellets
Chickens have no teeth and need grit in their gizzard to grind up food properly, so it needs to be offered separately alongside pellets rather than being part of the feed itself. Without adequate grit, even a well-formulated pellet diet is not digested as effectively.
Free-ranging hens on varied ground often pick up small stones naturally as they forage, but hens kept mainly on a grass run or hard standing usually need a dedicated grit supply provided in its own container, since there is little for them to find themselves. Checking a feeder occasionally to see whether the grit is being used, rather than assuming a single top-up lasts indefinitely, is worth doing — a flock getting through pellets quickly but leaving grit untouched is often a sign the grit itself needs refreshing or offering somewhere more accessible.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Supa Poultry Mixed Grit
A mixed flint and oystershell grit for chickens, combining grinding grit with a calcium source
From£4.75
Johnson's Poultry Corn 'N' Grit Treat
A 270g corn and grit treat for poultry keepers, sold to help digestion
£3.85
Johnson's Poultry Housing Spray
An HSE-approved 250ml aerosol to kill mites, lice and fleas in poultry housing
£6.25
Johnson's Poultry Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
Apple cider vinegar water conditioner for chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry
£6.99
Johnson's Poultry Tonic
A 500ml multi-vitamin conditioning tonic for chickens and other poultry
£11.99
Johnson's Poultry Mite & Lice Powder
A 250g diatomaceous earth powder to keep bird housing dry and discourage red mite
£6.79
Supa Anti Perch Chick Trough Feeder
A 30cm trough feeder for young birds with an anti-perch bar to stop fouling
£7.99
Supa Poultry & Bird Feeder
Gravity-fed 6kg feeder for poultry and game birds, stands on the ground or hangs
£14.99
Supa Poultry & Bird Drinker
A 6 litre gravity drinker for poultry, with a dome top birds cannot perch on
£9.99
Supa Poultry Aviary Bird Feeder
Supa gravity-fed poultry and aviary bird feeders in two capacity options
From£5.99
Supa Poultry & Avian Bird Drinker
Supa red and white 3-litre gravity bird drinker for ground or hanging use, made in the UK
£6.99
Mr Johnson's Poultry Grit
A 1kg bag of insoluble grit to help hens grind food down for better digestion
£2.06
Common questions
- What is the difference between layer and grower pellets?
- Layer pellets contain extra calcium formulated for hens actively laying eggs, supporting strong eggshells, while grower pellets are for younger, non-laying birds and have a different nutritional balance suited to growth rather than egg production. Feeding the wrong one for your birds' age or laying status is a common mistake.
- How much should I feed my chickens each day?
- As a rough guide a laying hen eats around 120-150g of pellets a day, though this varies by breed size, activity level and weather, with birds needing more in cold conditions. Feeding ad-lib from a proper poultry feeder generally works better for small flocks than measuring out an exact daily amount by hand.
- Do chickens need anything else alongside pellets?
- Grit is essential alongside pellets since chickens have no teeth and rely on grit in their gizzard to grind food properly. Mixed corn or the occasional treat can be offered too, but pellets should remain the majority of the diet rather than being replaced by extras.
- When should I switch chicks from starter feed to pellets?
- Chicks generally move from starter crumb to grower pellets as they mature, then onto layer pellets once they begin laying, usually from around 16-20 weeks depending on breed. Checking the feed bag's own guidance for the specific product is worth doing since timings vary slightly between brands.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.