Raising chickens is a fun and rewarding experience, but whether you’re keeping them for fresh eggs, meat, or as backyard companions, proper care starts with the right feed and essential supplies. Ensuring your flock has everything they need from the start will prevent common issues, keep them healthy, and make chicken keeping an enjoyable experience.
If you’re new to chickens, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential feeds, supplies, and equipment you’ll need to set up a successful flock.
1. Understanding Chicken Feed: What to Feed at Every Life Stage
Chickens have different dietary needs at each stage of life. Choosing the right feed helps support growth, egg production, and overall health.
Starter Feed (0–8 Weeks Old)
Newly hatched chicks require a high-protein diet to support their rapid growth. Starter feed is designed to provide all the essential nutrients needed for the first critical weeks of life.
- Type: Chick starter crumbles (available in medicated and non-medicated forms).
- Protein Content: 18–22% (higher protein promotes strong development).
- Medicated vs. Non-Medicated Starter: Medicated feed contains amprolium, which helps prevent coccidiosis (a common and deadly protozoan infection in young birds). Non-medicated feed is fine if your chicks have been raised in a clean, low-risk environment.
Tip: Always provide fresh, clean water alongside chick starter to prevent dehydration and digestive issues.
Grower Feed (8–16 Weeks Old)
As your chicks mature, they no longer need as much protein, and excess calcium can be harmful at this stage. Grower feed ensures proper development without unnecessary calcium buildup.
- Type: Grower crumbles or pellets.
- Protein Content: 16–18% (enough to support growth without overloading their kidneys).
- Why It’s Important: Grower feed provides balanced nutrition without the extra calcium found in layer feed, which can be damaging to young birds.
Layer Feed (16+ Weeks / Point of Lay)
Once your hens begin laying (usually around 16–20 weeks old), they need extra calcium to produce strong eggshells. Layer feed is designed specifically to support healthy egg production.
- Type: Layer pellets, crumbles, or mash.
- Protein Content: 15–18%.
- Calcium Level: 3–4% (compared to just 1% in grower feed).
- Additional Supplements: Oyster shell or crushed eggshells can be offered in a separate dish to provide extra calcium as needed.
Tip: Never feed layer feed to chicks or growing pullets—it contains too much calcium for their developing bodies.
Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Meat chickens (such as Cornish Cross or Red Rangers) grow quickly and need a high-protein diet to support rapid muscle development.
- Starter (0–3 weeks): 20–24% protein for strong early growth.
- Grower/Finisher (3 weeks until processing): 16–20% protein to develop meat quality.
Scratch Grains & Treats (For Adult Chickens)
While commercial feed should make up 90% of a chicken’s diet, many owners like to supplement with scratch grains, seeds, and kitchen scraps.
- Scratch grains (cracked corn, wheat, barley) provide energy but should be fed in moderation.
- Black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) support feather health and provide extra fat, especially in winter.
- Safe kitchen scraps include fruits, vegetables, cooked rice, oats, and bread.
Avoid feeding: onions, garlic, raw potatoes, chocolate, avocado, and anything moldy.
2. Essential Chicken Supplies: What Every New Owner Needs
Beyond food, chickens require proper housing, feeding equipment, and health essentials to keep them safe and thriving.
Feeders & Waterers
Chickens are notorious for wasting feed and dirtying water, so investing in good-quality feeders and waterers will save time and money.
- Hanging feeders or treadle feeders help prevent waste and keep feed clean.
- Nipple waterers or automatic waterers ensure a constant supply of fresh, clean water.
- Heated waterers are essential in colder climates to prevent freezing.
Coop & Nesting Box Supplies
Your flock needs a secure, well-ventilated coop with enough space, perches, and nest boxes to keep them comfortable.
- Nest boxes: Provide 1 box per 3–4 hens with soft bedding (straw, pine shavings, or nesting pads).
- Perches/Roosts: Chickens instinctively roost off the ground at night. Provide 8–12 inches of space per bird with wooden perches.
- Bedding: Pine shavings, straw, or hemp help control moisture and odor. Avoid cedar shavings, which can be toxic.
Grit & Calcium Supplements
- Grit (small stones) helps chickens digest food by grinding grains in their gizzard.
- Oyster shell or crushed eggshells provide extra calcium for laying hens.
Health & First Aid Supplies
It’s always good to have basic poultry first aid items on hand in case of illness or injury.
- Electrolytes & probiotics – Help chicks and adult birds recover from stress or illness.
- Elector PSP for mites and external parasites— Elector PSP is a highly effective, no-withdrawal treatment for mites, lice, and external parasites in poultry, making it a top choice for flock health. With just one application, it eliminates infestations while remaining safe for birds, eggs, and the environment.
- Vetericyn or Blu-Kote – Helps treat minor wounds or pecking injuries.
- Dewormers & mite treatments – Helps control internal and external parasites.
Security & Predator Protection
Predators are one of the biggest threats to backyard chickens.
- Hardware cloth (not chicken wire!) – Protects against raccoons, foxes, and other predators.
- Motion sensor lights or automatic coop doors – Help deter nighttime threats.
- Secure latches & locks – Raccoons can open simple latches, so use predator-proof fasteners.
Final Tips for New Chicken Owners
- Store feed properly – Keep it in rodent-proof containers (metal bins work best).
- Provide fresh, clean water daily – Chickens need constant hydration for good egg production.
- Observe your flock daily – Look for signs of illness, injury, or bullying.
- Be patient! – Egg production doesn’t start overnight—most hens begin laying between 5–6 months old.
Starting your chicken-keeping journey with the right feed and supplies ensures healthy, happy hens and a successful backyard flock.
Visit us at www.stellargamebirds.net for your poultry needs
