Best Chicken Feed for Laying Hens: What to Feed for Maximum Egg Production

What you feed your hens has a direct impact on egg production, shell quality, and the health of every bird in your flock. The good news: feeding laying hens well is not complicated. The less good news: there is a lot of misinformation and a confusing number of feed options at the feed store. This guide cuts through all of it.

Here is everything you need to know about the best chicken feed for laying hens — from understanding feed labels to specific brand recommendations to what supplements actually help and which ones waste your money.

For a broader overview of chicken nutrition, see our complete guide on what to feed backyard chickens.

What Laying Hens Need Nutritionally

A laying hen has specific nutritional requirements that differ from a growing chick or a meat bird. Understanding what she needs helps you evaluate any feed product on its merits:

• Protein: 16-18% — Protein provides the amino acids needed to form the egg white (albumen). Insufficient protein means smaller eggs, reduced production, and poor feathering. Layer feed typically contains 16% protein; increasing to 18-20% during molt or in winter when feather regrowth demands are high can help.
• Calcium: 3-4% — A hen uses massive amounts of calcium to form an egg shell every day. Her daily calcium requirement is around 4 grams — far more than a non-laying bird needs. Layer feed includes added calcium, and supplemental oyster shell should be provided free-choice so each hen can self-regulate her intake.
• Phosphorus: 0.4-0.5% — Works with calcium for bone and shell health. Too much phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption.
• Fat: 3-5% — Provides energy and fat-soluble vitamins. Hens with low dietary fat may produce eggs with pale, less nutritious yolks.
• Vitamins and minerals — Vitamin D3 (essential for calcium absorption), Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and trace minerals including zinc, manganese, and selenium all affect laying performance and egg quality.

Types of Layer Feed

Layer Pellets

Pellets are the most efficient form of layer feed. The ingredients are ground, mixed uniformly, and compressed into pellets, so every bite contains the full nutritional profile. Less waste than crumble or mash — pellets do not break apart into fines that birds kick aside. Pellets are the format most nutritionists recommend for adult laying hens.

Layer Crumbles

Crumbles are pellets that have been broken into smaller pieces. Easier for smaller birds or younger pullets to eat, but produces more waste. Some birds prefer crumbles to pellets; it largely comes down to individual preference. Nutritionally equivalent to pellets of the same formula.

Layer Mash

Mash is the most finely ground form of feed. It can be fed dry or mixed with water into a wet mash (which some birds prefer and which can increase intake in hot weather). Mash produces the most waste of any format because birds tend to scatter and sift through it. Generally the least efficient format for ad-libitum feeding, but useful as a fermented feed base.

Fermented Feed

Any of the above formats can be fermented by soaking the feed in water for 3-5 days. Fermentation increases the bioavailability of nutrients, adds beneficial bacteria (probiotics), and can reduce feed consumption by 20-30% because fermented feed is more digestible. Many backyard keepers report improved egg production and feather quality after switching to fermented feed. It requires daily attention and clean equipment but has real benefits.

Best Chicken Feed Brands for Laying Hens

Purina Layena Layer Pellets

Purina Layena is one of the most widely available and consistently recommended layer feeds on the market. It contains 16% protein, 3.5% calcium, and a complete vitamin and mineral package including Vitamin D3 for calcium absorption. It is made without added hormones or antibiotics and is available at most feed stores and online. Purina’s quality control is consistent, which matters — an inconsistent feed can cause production disruptions when formulas shift batch to batch.

Scratch and Peck Feeds Cluckin’ Good Layer Feed

Scratch and Peck is an organic, non-GMO feed option for keepers who prefer certified organic inputs. It is a whole-grain, non-pelleted feed that requires fermentation or wet mixing to be most effective. The whole-grain format leaves some nutrients less bioavailable than in pelleted feed, but the organic certification and whole-food ingredient list appeal to keepers who prioritize clean inputs. Contains 17% protein.

Kalmbach All Natural Layer Feed

Kalmbach is a Midwest-based feed company with a strong reputation for quality among experienced poultry keepers. Their layer pellets contain 16% protein with added prebiotics and probiotics. Widely available in the eastern and central U.S. Feed store staff often recommend it as a step up from generic house-brand feeds.

Nutrena NatureWise Layer Pellets

Nutrena NatureWise is another widely available option found at Tractor Supply and many feed stores. It contains 16% protein and added omega-3s from flaxseed, which can improve the fatty acid profile of your eggs. A solid, reliable choice at a competitive price point.

Manna Pro Layer Pellets

Manna Pro is commonly found at Tractor Supply and Walmart and offers a budget-friendly option at 16% protein. Quality is adequate; not the top pick among serious keepers but perfectly functional as a base diet when supplemented with oyster shell and occasional protein-rich treats.

Essential Supplements for Laying Hens

Oyster Shell

This is non-negotiable for any laying flock. Layer feed contains added calcium, but the requirement varies by individual hen and by the season. Providing oyster shell free-choice (in a separate small feeder) allows each hen to self-regulate her calcium intake. You will see hens eat more of it in winter and less in summer; they know what they need. Without adequate calcium, hens produce thin-shelled or shell-less eggs and can develop calcium depletion that leads to laying failure and health problems.

Dried Mealworms

Dried mealworms are approximately 50% protein by dry weight, making them one of the best high-protein supplements for hens during molt (when protein demand spikes for feather regrowth) or during periods of lower egg production. Use them as a treat — a small handful for the flock several times per week — not as a feed replacement. They are also excellent for hand-taming and building trust with your flock.

Grit

Chickens need grit (small stones) to grind their food in the gizzard. Hens that are entirely on commercially ground pellets and have no access to the ground may not need supplemental grit. But any hen eating whole grains, scratch, or kitchen scraps benefits from access to grit. Provide insoluble grit (granite grit) separate from oyster shell — they look similar but serve different functions.

What to Avoid in Laying Hen Feed

• Too much scratch. Scratch grains are a treat with low protein content. They dilute the nutritional balance of your hens’ diet if fed in excess. Limit scratch to 10% of total feed intake or less.
• Chick starter for adult layers. Chick starter contains too little calcium (0.9%) for laying hens. Hens fed only chick starter will deplete their own bone calcium to form egg shells, eventually developing health problems.
• Moldy or wet feed. Mold in feed can cause Aspergillosis (a fungal respiratory disease). Store feed in sealed metal containers in a cool, dry location.
• Excessive treats and table scraps. Kitchen scraps are fine in moderate amounts, but too many scraps — especially high-carb ones like bread — can reduce protein intake and lead to weight gain and reduced production.

For more information on egg production factors including feeding and health, see our guide on why chickens stop laying eggs.

When to Switch from Starter to Layer Feed

Make the switch from chick starter (or grower) to layer feed at 18-20 weeks of age or when you notice the first egg, whichever comes first. Layer feed’s higher calcium content can interfere with kidney function in young, pre-laying birds, so do not switch too early. But once hens begin laying, they need the calcium that layer feed provides.

If you have a mixed flock with laying hens and younger birds together, feed all-flock feed (16% protein, lower calcium) and provide oyster shell free-choice so laying hens can supplement their own calcium. This avoids the calcium overload issue for younger birds while ensuring layers get what they need.

Recommended Products

• Purina Layena Layer Pellets — The most widely trusted layer feed for backyard hens. Complete nutrition, consistent quality, and widely available.
• Oyster Shell Calcium Supplement — Free-choice calcium supplement that every laying flock needs. Prevents thin shells and calcium depletion.
• Dried Mealworms — High-protein treat for molt support and hand-taming. A flock favorite that doubles as a training tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of protein do laying hens need?

Laying hens need 16-18% crude protein in their diet. Layer pellets from reputable brands provide 16%, which is adequate for most conditions. During molt or winter, increasing to 18-20% can improve feather regrowth and maintain production.

Can I feed laying hens the same feed as chicks?

No. Chick starter is formulated for growth, not egg production. It contains insufficient calcium for laying hens. Adult layers fed only chick starter will produce poor-quality shells and may develop health problems from calcium depletion over time. Switch to layer feed at 18-20 weeks.

How much feed does a laying hen eat per day?

A standard laying hen eats approximately 1/4 pound (about 4 ounces or 110-120 grams) of feed per day. This varies by breed size, ambient temperature, and production level. Larger breeds eat more; bantams eat less. Cold weather increases feed consumption as hens burn more calories for warmth.

Do I need to supplement layer feed?

Oyster shell free-choice is the one supplement every laying flock needs. Beyond that, a quality commercial layer feed is nutritionally complete. Grit is important for birds eating anything other than commercially ground feed. Probiotics and vitamins can be beneficial during stress or illness but are not necessary for a healthy flock on good feed.

Is organic feed worth the extra cost?

Organic layer feed is substantially more expensive — often 30-50% more per pound than conventional. The nutritional content is similar; the difference is the source of the ingredients (no synthetic pesticides, non-GMO). If ingredient sourcing matters to you, organic is worth the premium. If you are focused on production economics, conventional layer feed from a reputable brand performs equally well nutritionally.

Related Articles

• What to Feed Backyard Chickens: A Complete Guide
• When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
• Why Did My Chicken Stop Laying Eggs?

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