Chicken feed calculator
How much your flock eats a day, a month and a year, how many bags to buy, and what each dozen eggs really costs.
The rules behind the numbers
Which feed at which age
| Feed | Age | Protein | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chick starter (layer/dual-purpose chicks) | 0–6 weeks | 18–20% | 0.9–1% |
| Grower | 6–18 weeks | 14–16% | — |
| Developer (optional) | 14–20 weeks | 14–16% | — |
| Layer 18-20 weeks or first egg, whichever comes first | from 18 weeks | 16–18% | 3–4% |
| All-flock / all-purpose | from 0 weeks | 16% | — |
Sources disagree on the exact switch ages (6 vs 6–8 weeks for starter); follow the label on your feed bag.
Questions
How much does a chicken eat a day?
A standard laying hen eats about 0.25–0.33 lb of feed a day (roughly a quarter to a third of a pound), more in cold weather. Bantams eat about 0.17–0.2 lb.
How long does a 50 lb bag of feed last?
For six standard hens, a 50 lb bag lasts about 25–33 days. Buy only what you will use within 2 months: older feed loses vitamins.
How much does it cost to feed chickens?
At 15–20 dollars per 50 lb bag (University of Maryland and Colorado State figures for 2025–26), six hens cost about $16–22 a month in feed. Prices vary a lot by region and brand, so enter your own.
What feed should chickens eat at each age?
Chick starter: 18–20% protein, 0–6 weeks. Grower: 14–16% protein, 6–18 weeks. Developer: 14–16% protein, 14–20 weeks. Layer: 16–18% protein, from 18 weeks. All-flock / all-purpose: 16% protein, from 0 weeks.
Do laying hens need oyster shell?
Yes, offered free-choice in a separate dish. Layer feed already has 3–4% calcium, and hens take extra shell when they need it for strong eggshells. Treats and scraps should stay under 10% of the daily diet.
Sources
- 1Backyard & Small Poultry Flock Management Series: Feeding the Laying Hen (ANR-2913)Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Pacheco, Gulizia, Downs; Aug 2022)
- 2Feeds and Feeding for Small-scale Egg-production Enterprises (ASC-233)University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (J. Jacob, T. Pescatore; 2017, issued 1-2018)
- 3Feeds and Nutrition (poultry)Mississippi State University Extension
- 4Feeding Chickens for Egg Production in Small and Backyard FlocksPoultry Extension (J. Jacob, University of Kentucky)
- 5Practical Feeding Methods for Small Poultry FlocksColorado State University Extension (H. Enos; Dec 2019; tables adapted from Merck 1967)
- 6Backyard Layer Flock Economics - How Much Does It Cost You to Produce a Dozen Eggs? (FS-2025-0783)University of Maryland Extension (Moyle, Johnson, Tabler, Bruce; updated 2026-08-18)
- 7Want to raise backyard chickens for eggs? 5 things to know firstColorado State University SOURCE (J. DeLoss quoting CSU Extension specialists; 2025-04-10)
- 8How to feed your laying hens (PNW 477)Oregon State University Extension / PNW (J. Hermes; 2016, reviewed 2024)
- 9Managing Chickens From Chicks to Peak Egg ProductionUtah State University Extension (J. Okoh, E. Perry; October 2025)
- 10What Do Chickens Eat? Plan Your Chicken Feed ProgramPurina Animal Nutrition (P. Biggs)