How Do You Balance a Chicken’s Diet for Better Eggs

Feeding your chickens properly is essential to keeping them healthy, productive, and happy. A well-balanced diet helps boost egg production, maintain shiny feathers, and prevent health issues. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about feeding your chickens, from what to feed them to how and when to do it.

What Should You Feed Your Chickens?

1. Core Diet: High-Quality Poultry Pellets

• The foundation of your chickens’ diet should be high-quality layers’ pellets. These pellets provide essential proteins, minerals, and vitamins needed for egg production and overall health.
• Pellets typically contain: wheat, salt, maize, sunflower seed, and oats.

2. Grains for Variety

• Offer grains like corn or wheat to give your chickens variety.
• These grains act as energy boosters and keep your chickens entertained.

3. Fruits and Vegetables

Chickens love fruits and vegetables! Here are safe options:

• Vegetable peels
• Bananas
• Apple cores
• Carrots
• Broccoli

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Avoid feeding them:

• Raw green peels (like green potato skin)
• Citrus fruits (such as oranges and lemons)

How to Feed Your Chickens

Feeding Schedule:

• Feed them twice daily — once in the morning and once in the evening.
• Offer small portions frequently to prevent overfeeding.

Pellets Placement:

• Use a chicken trough to keep the feed clean and dry. Avoid scattering feed directly on the ground, as it can mix with droppings and cause health issues like coccidiosis.
• Clean up uneaten feed regularly to prevent attracting pests like mice and rats.

Preventing Dominance Issues:

• Chickens have a pecking order, and dominant hens may eat most of the food. To ensure weaker hens get enough to eat, consider feeding them separately.

Providing Fresh Water

• Chickens need constant access to clean, fresh water.
• Use a plastic container or a drinker to make water easily accessible.
• In winter, break any ice that forms and clean the container regularly.

Kitchen Scraps: What’s Safe and What’s Not

Chickens love kitchen scraps, and feeding them leftovers can save you money while adding variety to their diet.

Safe kitchen scraps include:

• Rice, pasta, oats, wholemeal bread
• Fruits and vegetables
• Cooked grains and cereals

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Avoid feeding them:

• Fatty foods or foods with high salt content
• Avocado, rhubarb, garlic, processed snacks (like crisps)

Pro Tip: Check local regulations, as feeding kitchen scraps to chickens may be restricted in certain areas.

Healthy Treats for Chickens

Treat your chickens occasionally with healthy snacks. Here are their favorites:

1. Worms: A natural protein source.
2. Pumpkin and seeds: Rich in vitamins.
3. Apple cores: Easy to toss into the pen.
4. Broccoli: A surprising favorite.
5. Porridge: Great during cold winters.

Signs of an Improper Diet

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A poor diet can lead to behavioral issues and health problems. Watch for these warning signs:

1. Reduced Egg Production: If the season hasn’t changed but egg production declines, their diet could be lacking.
2. Feather Picking or Restlessness: This could indicate nutritional deficiencies.
3. Abnormal Eggs: If the eggs are unusually small or have double yolks, reassess their feed.

If you notice any significant changes, consult a vet.

Avoid Feeding Chickens Off the Ground

While tossing corn to free-range chickens in the yard may seem natural, it’s important to avoid feeding confined chickens off the ground. Feed can easily mix with droppings, increasing the risk of infections and diseases.

Instead, use a feeder, tray, or trough to keep their feed clean.

Feeding chickens the right way is critical to their health, egg production, and well-being. Stick to a balanced diet of pellets, grains, fruits, and kitchen scraps while ensuring access to fresh water. Monitor their feeding habits and adjust accordingly to keep your flock thriving. Happy chickens make happy keepers!

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