Complete Chicken Feeding Guide for Kiwi Keepers

Feeding your chickens isn’t just about filling a bowl with corn can calling it a day. It’s about giving them the right nutrition, in the right way, to keep them thriving and laying strong eggs.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your routine, understanding what and how to feed your chooks can make all the difference.

Laying chickens eat about 100-120 grams of feed per day. A good layer feed with 16–18% protein and balanced nutrients should form the core of their diet. This gives your laying hens the energy and nutrients they need for egg production and day-to-day activities. Chicks and pullets need some extra attention when feeding them.

Skipping a balanced feed and relying too much on scraps or grains can lead to health problems and poor egg production.

Don’t forget about water, it’s just as important as feed. A hen can drink about 500 ml of water a day, and it’s essential to keep it clean and fresh. Without enough water, your chickens may stop eating altogether or lay fewer eggs.

The equipment you use also matters for reducing wasted feed and keeping pests away. Using  quality feeders and drinkers not only makes feeding easier but also reduces waste, keeps feed dry, and keeps pests like rodents and wild birds away.

Key Takeaways about Feeding Chickens

• Chickens eat around 100–120 grams of feed daily, which costs roughly 20-30 cents per hen in New Zealand (excluding treats) if you buy chicken feed in bulk.
• Let your chooks have free access to their feed from dawn to dusk. It’s the best way to ensure they all get enough, even the lower-ranked birds in the pecking order.
• A good-quality layer pellet or micro-pellet with 16–18% protein is the best feed for laying hens. It prevents selective eating and gives them the nutrients they need.
• Making a nutritionally balanced chicken feed yourself at home can be difficult and may lead to nutritional deficiencies. We don't recommend making your own feed unless you understand the nutritional requirements well.
• Scraps and treats are fine in moderation but shouldn’t replace their main feed. Limit scraps to what they can eat in about 20 minutes.

Dine-A-Chook feeders and drinkers are perfect for Kiwi backyard keepers. They stop spillage, protect feed from the rain, and help keep pests out.

→  Shop for chicken feeder and drinker kits

Understanding Chicken Nutrition Basics

Healthy chooks need a diet packed with the right nutrients to keep them laying strong eggs and staying in good health.

Most commercial chicken feeds are designed to provide everything a bird needs. However, starchy fillers are far cheaper than high-protein seeds, so it’s important to read the analysis panel on the bag.

When choosing a commercial chicken feed, look for a mash or pelleted feed that contains:

• Protein: Laying hens need 16–18% protein in their feed to produce eggs and maintain energy. For extra benefits, proteins rich treats like mealworms or black soldier fly larvae are best because they’re easy for chickens to digest and use.
• Calcium: At least 2.5% calcium. Calcium is crucial for strong eggshells. Balanced layer feeds also include vitamins and minerals that chickens need to thrive.
• Fiber: A maximum of 10% fiber.
• Ideally, unless you are providing a supplement, you also want your feed to be fortified with essential vitamins (especially A, E, D3, and B vitamins), minerals (including iron, iodine, and zinc), and fatty acids.

The Role of Grit and Calcium

Chickens don’t have teeth, so they need grit to help grind up their food. Grit sits in their gizzard, breaking down feed so it can be digested properly.

Shell grit is a great option because it also gives them a calcium boost, which is essential for strong eggshells.

Always provide free access to grit. Your hens will take what they need, helping them digest their food and produce high-quality eggs.

You can buy grit at most pet stores and farm supply stores.

What Is the Best Diet for Chickens?

Based on customer feedback, the most common diet for backyard chickens is some type of grain mix supplemented with leftovers, kitchen scraps, and garden waste. While this sounds like a "natural" diet for a chicken, it is NOT recommended for laying hens.

Layers need a high-protein diet for egg production. Most commercially available grain mixes are low in protein, and hens are distracted from their main source of energy and nutrition by a smorgasbord of treats in the form of kitchen and garden waste. These treats, while tasty, are unlikely to meet their dietary requirements.

This doesn’t mean that chickens cannot have kitchen scraps and garden waste, or that grain mixes should be forbidden. However, for better health and egg production, we recommend feeding chickens a complete feed in crumb or pellet form, supplemented by no more leftovers, kitchen scraps, garden waste, or scratch mix than can be consumed in about 20 minutes.

Limiting garden waste and kitchen scraps will not only ensure that laying hens get the balanced nutrition they need, but it may also help control rodents in the chicken coop by removing easily available food sources like rotting scraps. For more information, explore our Chicken Feeders to help keep your coop clean and efficient.

Feeding Routines Made Simple

Here are the basics you must know about feeding routines:

How Much Feed Do Chickens Need?

On average, a hen eats 100–120 grams of feed a day. Adjust this slightly depending on their size, breed, and the weather (chooks tend to eat more in winter).

It’s important to avoid overfeeding scraps or energy-rich treats like corn or bread, as this can throw off the balance of their diet.

Stick to a quality layer feed as their main food source. In general, store bought chicken feed has been engineered to have the nutrients and macros your flock needs.

Best Feeding Schedule

The best way to feed chickens is to give them free access to their feed from dawn to dusk. This allows them to eat as they need throughout the day, which aligns with their natural foraging instincts.

Avoid fixed feeding times, as this can cause chickens to gorge on food, leading to poor digestion and potential crop issues like  sour crop (crop is where chickens store food before is moves further down in the digestion track).

At night, you may want to remove feeders to keep pests like rats or mice away. Your chickens don’t eat at night, so this also keeps things tidy and safe. Another option is to get a  feeder closure cap for your Dine-A-Chook feeder to close them up for the night.

Managing the Pecking Order

In every flock, there’s a pecking order. Dominant chickens often eat first, which can mean smaller or lower-ranked hens don’t get enough.

To avoid this, use multiple feeders or place feeders in different spots. This ensures all your hens get their fair share without stress or bullying.

Practical Feeding Methods

Always keep feed off the ground to prevent contamination from dirt or droppings. Feed left on the ground can attract pests or spread disease.

A waste-reducing feeder, like the Dine-A-Chook Waste-Reducing Feeder, is a smart investment. These feeders protect feed from rain, pests, and spillage, saving you money and keeping your chooks healthy.

How Many Feeders Do I Need?

We recommend you to have at least one feeder for every 6-8 birds.

We made a simple calculator to estimate how many chicken feeder you should get for your flock!

Choosing the Best Feed for Laying Hens

For healthy and productive hens, stick to premium layer pellets, micro-pellets, or crumbles.

These have the right balance of nutrients and 16–18% protein your chickens need for strong eggs and good health.

Unlike grain and scratch mixes, these feeds stop chickens from picking and choosing, so they get all the nutrition they need in every bite.

It’s best to avoid:

• Scratch mixes: They don’t have enough nutrients and often lead to waste.
• Molasses-coated feeds: These are messy and can attract pests.
• Homemade diets: Balancing nutrients at home is tricky without expert advice.

Looking for more tips on picking the right feed for the best egg production? Check out Best Chicken Feed for Laying Hens in New Zealand.

Protein Needs for Layers

Protein is one of the most important parts of a chicken’s diet, especially for laying hens. They need 16–18% protein in their feed, but free-range breeds may need up to 20% to make up for gaps from foraging. This is because the forage can often be lower in protein, unless there's a lot of bugs and worms for them to eat.

Add high-protein supplements like:

• Mealworms
• Black soldier fly larvae

These are packed with amino acids, which help hens stay healthy and lay consistently.

Feed by Age

Chickens need different types of feed as they grow. Here’s a quick guide:

• Chicks (0–6 weeks): Start with medicated chick starter if they aren’t vaccinated. Use a small bowl or plate for feeding, and you can introduce them to a Dine-A-Chook Drinker for fresh water right away. Learn more in our guide: What to Feed Baby Chicks.
• Pullets (6–22 weeks): Switch to grower feed or keep them on chick starter until they’re ready to lay.
• Laying Hens (18 weeks+): Feed them a good layer pellet with 16–18% protein.
• Roosters and Non-Layers: They can eat grower feed or layer pellets.
• Breeding Birds: Add extra supplements or use breeder feed to support their higher needs.

Supplements and Free-Range Feeding

Free-ranging hens enjoy scratching for food, but it’s not always enough to keep them laying. Give them extra nutrients to stay in top condition.

• Vitamins and minerals: Add low-dose supplements to fill gaps in their diet. Avoid high-dose supplements unless treating a deficiency.
• Protein supplements: Free-range hens often need extra protein, so treats like mealworms can help keep them laying eggs regularly.

Adding these extras keeps your hens in great shape while making up for what they might miss during foraging.

Scraps, Treats, and Feeding Tips for Chickens

Are Scraps Healthy?

Chickens love scraps, but it’s important to remember that scraps are not nutritionally complete. They can take the place of essential nutrients your hens would get from a quality layer feed. Common scraps like bread, pasta, and fruit are often low in protein or high in empty calories, which doesn’t support egg production or overall health.

If you’re feeding scraps, always think of them as a treat, not a replacement for their main feed.

Feeding Guidelines for Scraps

Scraps should be given in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to offer only as much as your chickens can eat in 20 minutes, once a day, ideally in the late morning or afternoon after they’ve eaten their layer feed.

Tips for feeding scraps:

• Clean up any uneaten scraps right away to prevent pests and mould.
• If scraps are a regular part of your routine, balance their diet with extra protein, like dried mealworms.

For more detailed advice, check out our guide on What Food Scraps Are Safe for Chickens to Eat.

Best Scraps for Chickens

Chickens can enjoy a variety of scraps, but it’s important to pick ones that add value to their diet. Great options include:

• Leafy greens
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Cooked grains
• Seeds
• Cooked meat, fish scraps (but be mindful that meat scrap will spoil fast, so remove uneated scraps after an hour or two)

Forage greens are also a great source of nutrition, but feed them in moderation. Avoid giving long or tough greens, as these can cause crop impaction.

Scraps to Avoid

Not all scraps are safe for chickens.

You should of course avoid feeding anything mouldy, rancid, or “off.” I hope this is obvious to all chicken keepers!

Some foods are toxic to chickens and should never be given, including:

• Raw potatoes
• Coffee grounds
• Chocolate
• Avocado
• Dried beans
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sugary or highly processed foods

For a full list of foods chickens shouldn’t eat, see our article: What Not to Feed Chickens.

Eggshells and Forage Greens

Crushed eggshells can be a great source of calcium for your hens, but they should only be fed as a supplement, not a replacement for shell grit. Always use clean, dry eggshells from your own flock to avoid contamination.

It's also important to not feed whole eggs or large chunks of eggs, because it might encourage your birds to start eating freshly laid eggs as well!

Planting forage greens in the chicken run can keep your chickens entertained while adding nutrition to their diet. It’s an easy way to combine enrichment with feeding.

Healthy Treats for Chickens

Treats are a fun way to spoil your chooks, but stick to options that offer real benefits.

Some healthy choices include:

• High-protein treats: Dried mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, and insects.
• Hydration treats: Fruits like watermelon are perfect for hot summer days.
• Occasional whole grains: Scratch mixes can aid digestion, but only feed them in small amounts.

Treats for Chicks

Baby chicks need extra care when it comes to feeding.

Avoid giving them scraps or treats until they are fully feathered and outdoors. Once you introduce treats, make sure to offer grit alongside them to help with digestion.

Equipment Every Keeper Needs

Why Dine-A-Chook Feeders Are the Best Choice

A good feeder is one of the most important tools for chicken keepers. Dine-A-Chook feeders are specially designed to make feeding easier while protecting your flock’s food from pests and bad weather.

Here’s why they’re the best choice:

• They keep feed dry, even during heavy rain.
• Their design stops pests like rats and wild birds from stealing food.
• They work perfectly with pellets, micro-pellets, and crumbles, making them versatile for any feeding routine.
• Waste is kept to a minimum, saving money and keeping the area around the feeder clean.

Check out our range of feeders: Dine-A-Chook Feeders.

Matching Drinkers to Your Flock Size

Water is just as important as feed, and your chickens need clean, fresh water available at all times. Automatic drinkers, like those from Dine-A-Chook, make this simple and hygienic.

Benefits of automatic drinkers:

• They provide a constant supply of water without contamination from dirt or droppings.
• Their design helps reduce the risk of diseases caused by stagnant or dirty water.

Find the right drinker for your flock here: Dine-A-Chook Drinkers.

Preventing Waste and Mess

Poorly placed feeders can lead to wasted food, mess, and even attract pests.

Here are some tips to keep feeding tidy:

• Always place feeders off the ground to stop chickens from scratching feed onto the floor.
• Keep feeders away from rain and wind to stop moisture from spoiling the feed.
• Use feeders designed to minimise spillage, like Dine-A-Chook feeders, to keep feed loss to a minimum.

Feed Storage Tips

Proper storage is essential to keep feed fresh and nutritious.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Store feed in a cool, dry place, away from rodents and moisture.
• If you’re using a metal bin, keep the feed in its original bag to prevent condensation.
• Avoid buying large quantities of feed for small flocks. Nutrients can degrade over time, so it’s better to buy only what you need for a few months.

Troubleshooting Feed Problems

Here are answers to some of the most common chicken feeding problem new keepers might be facing!

Selective Eating

If your chickens are picking out their favourite bits and leaving the rest, it’s time to switch to a uniform feed like pellets or crumbles.

These ensure every bite has the right balance of nutrients, preventing imbalanced diets and waste.

Selective eating is common with grain mixes or scratch feeds, so sticking to complete feeds is the best way to keep your flock healthy and productive.

Rodents and Wild Birds

Rodents and wild birds can quickly become a problem if they’re stealing feed or contaminating your chickens’ food.

Here’s how to keep pests out:

• Remove feeders and uneaten scraps at night when pests are most active.
• Use rodent-proof storage containers to keep feed safe.
• Install bird netting around feeding areas to prevent wild birds from accessing the feed.

By managing pests, you’ll save feed and reduce the risk of disease spreading to your chickens.

Feed Contamination

Feed contamination is a serious issue that can harm your flock’s health.

Always protect feed from faeces, urine, and moisture. Contaminated or mouldy feed can make your chickens sick and should never be given to them.

To prevent contamination:

• Use feeders that keep feed off the ground and away from dirt.
• Store feed in dry, secure containers.

When in doubt, throw out spoiled feed—it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Overweight Chickens

If your chickens are putting on too much weight, it’s usually a sign they’re eating too many scraps or treats.

Limit these extras and focus on a balanced layer feed.

For particularly overweight birds, you might need to separate them during feeding times to better control their intake. Managing portion sizes and sticking to quality feed will help them get back on track.

Loss of Appetite

If your chickens aren’t eating, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the problem and address it quickly.

Common reasons include:

• Poor-quality feed: Always check the freshness and quality of your feed.
• Illness or bullying: Sick or bullied chickens may avoid the feeder.
• Heat stress: In hot weather, chickens may eat less, so ensure they have access to cool water and shady spots.

Once you identify the issue, take steps to fix it and get your chickens eating normally again.

Practical Feeding Plan for New Chicken Keepers

A simple and consistent feeding routine keeps your chooks happy, healthy, and laying well.

Here’s a practical daily plan for beginners:

• Morning: Start the day by feeding your chickens layer pellets or crumbles. Each hen needs about 100–120 grams daily. This should form the bulk of their diet. Dine-A-Chook feeders can hold feed up to 5-7 days so yo might not even need to fill the feeder every day.
• Throughout the day: Make sure your chickens have access to clean water and grit at all times. These are essential for digestion and hydration.
• Afternoon: Offer occasional treats like dried mealworms or black soldier fly larvae for extra protein. High-protein treats are especially helpful for free-range birds.
• Evening: Consider remove feeders at night to prevent pests like rats and mice from stealing food. If you don't have issues with mice and rats you can also leave the feeders in place for the night. Chickens don't eat usually eat after they go roost, which is soon after sunset time.

Keep in mind the specific needs of your flock. Adjust feeding based on their age, breed, and activity level.

For example, free-ranging birds may need additional protein supplements to make up for what they miss while foraging.

Keep Your Flock Happy and Healthy

Feeding chickens doesn’t have to be complicated, but getting it right makes a big difference. A balanced diet and proper equipment lay the foundation for strong, productive chickens.

Remember to:

• Make layer feed the core of their diet and use scraps and treats sparingly to add variety without reducing their nutrition.
• Use Dine-A-Chook feeders and drinkers to simplify feeding, save time, and reduce waste. These are great tools to keep feed dry and pest-free while ensuring your chickens always have fresh water.

Ready to simplify your chicken-keeping routine? Check out our feeders and drinkers or contact us for expert advice if you have any questions!