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Read MoreChoosing the Right Chicken Feed
Feeding chickens the right food for their age and purpose is the most important thing you can do for their health and productivity. The difference between a flock fed appropriate layers pellets and one fed an unbalanced diet shows clearly in egg quality, shell strength and overall condition.
Feed types explained
Understanding what each feed type is for makes it straightforward to choose the right product for your birds at every stage of their life.
- Layers pellets: the staple complete diet for laying hens in production, formulated with the protein levels and calcium content needed for consistent egg production and strong shell formation
- Layers mash: nutritionally identical to layers pellets but in a loose meal format; some hens have a strong preference for mash over pellets and eat it more readily
- Growers pellets: formulated for young birds from around 6 weeks up to point of lay, with lower calcium content than layers pellets to protect the developing kidneys of birds not yet in production
- Chick crumbs: finely ground feed for newly hatched chicks in their first weeks of life before moving on to growers pellets
- Mixed corn: a blend of wheat and maize that is high in carbohydrates and genuinely enjoyed by chickens; should be offered only as a small afternoon treat rather than a main feed as it is nutritionally incomplete
Grit and supplements
Grit and supplements are straightforward additions to a backyard flock’s diet that make a meaningful difference to digestion and eggshell quality.
- Insoluble grit helps chickens grind down food in the gizzard: essential for birds that do not have access to soil and grit through free ranging
- Oyster shell grit provides supplementary calcium for laying hens whose pellet diet alone may not fully meet the demands of high egg production
- Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural supplement added to drinking water in small quantities to support gut health and reduce algae growth in drinkers
Why Buy Chicken Feed from Newcastle Pets?
We stock a practical range of layers pellets, mash, mixed corn and specialist poultry feeds for backyard flocks of all sizes. Our team can advise on the right feed for your flock’s age, purpose and size, and give straightforward guidance on quantities and supplementary feeding.
- Range of layers pellets, mash, mixed corn and specialist feeds available in store and online
- Our in-store team can advise on the right feed for your flock and practical guidance on quantities and supplements
- Advice on supporting egg production, managing feed waste and keeping the flock in good condition
- Free local delivery for Newcastle-under-Lyme customers
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete layers pellets or mash specifically formulated for laying hens is the recommended staple diet. It provides the right levels of protein and calcium for consistent egg production and strong eggshells. Supplement with oyster shell grit and offer mixed corn in moderation as an afternoon treat.
Most laying hens need around 120 to 150g of complete layers feed per day. Feed should be available at all times or offered twice daily. If offering mixed corn as a treat, limit this to a small handful per bird in the afternoon so it does not displace complete feed intake.
Under UK law it is illegal to feed kitchen scraps to chickens if your kitchen handles meat, even if the scraps themselves are vegetable-based. Plain fruit and vegetable scraps grown in the garden can be offered in moderation as a supplement to their complete diet.
Yes, we stock a range of chicken feed in our Newcastle-under-Lyme store and online. Free local delivery is available for Newcastle-under-Lyme customers.