How much feed does a chicken need?
As a rough guide, a typical hybrid laying hen eats somewhere in the region of 120-150g of a proper layers feed a day, though the exact amount varies with the bird's size, breed, the time of year and how much she is able to forage for herself. Feed should make up the bulk of a hen's diet, with kitchen scraps and treats kept as a genuinely small addition rather than a meaningful part of it.
Why the figure is a range, not a fixed number
A larger, heavier breed will naturally eat more than a smaller bantam, and hens generally eat a little more in winter, when they are working harder to stay warm and daylight for foraging is shorter, than they do in the height of summer with the run full of insects and greenery to pick at. A hen with plenty of space to free-range will typically take in less bought feed than one kept in a smaller, more contained run.
A good layers pellet or mash, formulated with the right balance of protein, calcium and other nutrients for egg production, should always make up the majority of what a hen eats. Treats, mixed corn and kitchen scraps are fine in genuinely small amounts but should not be allowed to crowd out the proper feed, since that is where most of the nutritional balance actually comes from.
Getting the amount right for your own flock
Watching how quickly feed disappears from the feeder, and whether hens are still finishing it or leaving some behind, is a more reliable guide over time than sticking rigidly to a printed figure, since every flock's mix of breeds, space and foraging opportunity is a little different.
Fresh water should always be available alongside feed, and grit should be provided separately if hens do not have regular access to it naturally, since it plays an important role in how they digest their food.
When a change in appetite is worth checking
A hen who suddenly eats noticeably less, stops eating altogether, or seems otherwise unwell — quiet, fluffed up, or not moving around the way she normally would — is worth checking over, and a vet who treats poultry should be consulted if this continues for more than a day or two or if she seems genuinely unwell.
A drop in egg-laying alongside reduced appetite is also worth mentioning to a vet, since the two often go together and can point to something that needs proper attention rather than a dietary tweak on its own.
What these need
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Paw Ikat Teal Pet Placemat – BPA-Free PVC & EVA
A vibrant teal ikat placemat with paw print accents — BPA-free, wipe-clean, and 29 × 48 cm for protecting floors under pet bowls.
£8.49
Tarhong Country Orchard Melamine Pet Saucer
A pretty fruit and floral orchard-print melamine saucer for pets — BPA-free, non-slip, shatterproof, and dishwasher safe at 13.2 cm.
£9.49
Tarhong Heart Print Pet Placemat
A charming heart-patterned, wipe-clean placemat that keeps spills off your floor at every mealtime.
£8.49
Common questions
- How much should I feed my chickens each day?
- A typical hybrid laying hen eats roughly 120-150g of a proper layers feed a day as a rough guide, though this varies with breed, size, season and how much foraging she can do herself. Watching how much is left in the feeder over time is a good way to judge the right amount for your own flock.
- Should chickens have access to feed all day?
- Many keepers leave feed available throughout the day using a feeder hens can access as they need it, which suits their natural habit of eating little and often, rather than one or two large meals.
- What should chickens eat besides layers feed?
- Fresh water and grit should always be available, and small amounts of vegetable scraps or mixed corn can be given as an occasional treat. These should stay a small part of the diet, with a proper layers feed making up the majority of what a hen eats.
- Why has my chicken stopped eating normally?
- A drop in appetite can have several causes, from a change in season to something more serious, and it's worth checking your hen over for other signs of illness. If reduced appetite continues for more than a day or two, or she seems unwell, a vet who treats poultry should take a look.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
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.