Chicken food - by age
8 July 2015
The nutritional requirements of chickens varies with age. Young chicks need high protein levels in particular, to help with feathering and growth. By contrast, adult hens need a good supply of calcium but lower protein levels.
The table below is a quick guide to the appropriate feeds for different ages.
| Age | Name | Feeding Requirements |
| 0 – 8 weeks | Chicks | Chick crumb. |
| 8 – 18 weeks | Growers | Growers pellets or growers mash. |
| 18+ weeks | Adult Chickens Female hens of 18+ weeks are often referred to as Point of Lay (POL for short). | Layers pellets or layers mash, plus mixed corn and other treats. Breeders pellets can be fed to breeding stock leading up to the laying of eggs for hatching. |
