Complete Guide to Feeding Laying Hens: What Canadian Chicken Owners Need to Know

Keeping backyard chickens can be rewarding.

You collect fresh eggs, watch your flock grow and get to know each bird's personality.

But sooner or later, almost every chicken owner asks the same question:

What should I actually feed my laying hens?

The answer isn't simply "grain."

Laying hens need a balanced diet that provides the nutrients required for egg production, body maintenance and overall flock health.

The right feeding program also depends on the hen's age, production stage, available feed, weather and management system.

Whether you're keeping a few backyard hens or managing a larger flock, understanding the basics of feeding laying hens can help you avoid common mistakes.

Here is a practical guide for Canadian chicken owners.

Start With a Complete Layer Feed

The foundation of a laying hen's diet should normally be a complete layer ration formulated specifically for laying birds.

Layer feeds are designed to provide a combination of nutrients that hens need during egg production.

Depending on the product, this can include:

• protein

• amino acids

• energy

• calcium

• phosphorus

• vitamins

• trace minerals

• other essential nutrients

  
  

This is why complete layer feed is different from simply feeding chickens corn, wheat or scratch grain.

A hen can fill her crop with grain and still fail to receive the correct balance of nutrients.

Quick answer

What should laying hens eat?

A properly formulated layer feed should form the nutritional foundation of the diet, with clean drinking water continuously available. Treats and scratch grain should remain secondary rather than replacing the complete ration.

Choose Feed for the Correct Life Stage

Not every chicken should eat the same feed.

A chick, growing pullet and laying hen have different nutritional requirements.

Typical poultry feeding stages include:

Chick starter

Designed for young chicks during their early growth period.

Grower or developer feed

Used as pullets grow toward maturity.

Layer feed

Formulated for mature hens that are actively producing eggs.

This distinction is important.

Feeding a mature layer ration to very young birds isn't automatically appropriate, just as feeding a growing bird a diet designed for laying hens may not provide the ideal nutrient profile for growth.

Always check the manufacturer's feeding directions and the label on the specific product.

Protein Matters—but Protein Percentage Isn't Everything

One of the most common questions from backyard chicken owners is:

"What percentage protein should my layer feed have?"

Protein is certainly important.

But the percentage printed on the feed bag doesn't tell the entire story.

Proteins are made from amino acids, and poultry require specific essential amino acids to support growth, maintenance and egg production.

Two feeds could have similar crude-protein percentages while providing different nutritional profiles.

That's why a professionally formulated complete feed can be more reliable than mixing individual grains at home without a properly balanced formulation.

When comparing layer feeds, look at the complete nutritional profile, not only the protein number.

Calcium Is Essential for Eggshell Quality

Every egg contains a substantial amount of calcium.

That means laying hens have an important calcium requirement that growing birds don't have to the same degree.

A suitable layer ration is formulated with the calcium and mineral balance needed for laying birds.

If your hens are producing thin, cracked or weak shells, don't immediately assume they simply need unlimited supplements.

First consider:

• the complete ration

• feed intake

• age of the hens

• water availability

• environmental stress

• overall flock health

  
  

Additional calcium sources may have a role in some feeding programs, but supplementation should be considered as part of the overall diet rather than as a substitute for properly formulated layer feed.

Fresh Water Is Just as Important as Feed

Chicken owners often focus heavily on feed and forget about water.

That's a mistake.

Clean, fresh drinking water should be available to laying hens continuously.

Water consumption can change with:

• temperature

• feed intake

• bird size

• production level

• weather

• housing conditions

  
  

During hot Canadian summer weather, water management becomes especially important.

Make sure waterers are:

• clean

• accessible

• filled

• protected from contamination

• checked regularly

  
  

A hen without adequate water cannot maintain normal feed intake and production.

Pellets vs. Crumble: Which Is Better?

One of the most common shopping questions is:

"Should I buy layer pellets or layer crumble?"

Both can be suitable when they are properly formulated complete layer feeds.

Layer Pellets

Pellets are formed into larger, uniform pieces.

Potential advantages include:

• less ingredient sorting

• consistent particle size

• convenient feeding

• potentially less feed dust

  
  

Layer Crumble

Crumble is essentially feed processed into smaller pieces.

It can be useful for birds that have difficulty consuming larger pellets or for owners who prefer a smaller particle size.

The important point is:

Feed form doesn't automatically determine nutritional quality.

Look at the product's intended animal, nutritional specifications and feeding directions.

Don't Let Scratch Grain Replace Layer Feed

Chickens love scratch grain.

That makes it tempting to give them plenty.

But scratch grain should not automatically become the main diet.

Corn, wheat and other grains can provide energy, but they don't necessarily provide the complete balance of nutrients required by a laying hen.

If hens fill up on scratch, they may consume less complete layer feed.

That can dilute the overall nutritional intake of the flock.

Think of scratch grain as an extra, not the nutritional foundation.

A good rule is:

Complete feed first. Treats and extras second.

Keep Feed Fresh and Dry

Feed quality can deteriorate when exposed to:

• moisture

• humidity

• pests

• rodents

• contamination

• prolonged storage

  
  

Mouldy or spoiled feed should not be fed to your flock.

Store poultry feed in a clean, dry and pest-resistant container.

Good storage practices include:

• keeping bags off damp floors

• closing containers properly

• protecting feed from rain

• checking for insects

• cleaning spills

• rotating older feed first

  
  

Buying a huge quantity of feed isn't necessarily economical if you cannot store it properly.

Use the Right Feeder

Feed management isn't only about what is inside the bag.

The feeder itself can affect waste.

Chickens naturally scratch, peck and move feed around.

Poor feeder design or overfilling can lead to unnecessary spillage.

Look for a feeder that:

• is appropriate for flock size

• keeps feed relatively clean

• reduces spillage

• is easy to refill

• can be cleaned regularly

  
  

A small amount of daily waste can become a surprisingly large cost over an entire year.

What Is the Best Feed for Laying Hens in Canada?

There is no single brand or product that is automatically best for every flock.

A suitable layer feed should be:

complete + properly formulated + appropriate for laying hens + fresh + correctly stored.

For Canadian backyard chicken owners, availability also matters.

A feed that you can purchase consistently from a reliable local supplier can make feeding management easier.

What Chicken Feed Options Are Available at Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies serves backyard chicken owners and poultry producers in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent and surrounding Southwestern Ontario communities.

The store carries poultry feed and farm supplies from established manufacturers, including Masterfeeds and Jones Feed Mills.

Available poultry products can include options for:

• laying hens

• chicks

• growing birds

• broilers

• scratch grain

• poultry treats

  
  

One option for laying hens is Masterfeeds 18% AV Layer Pellet/Crumble, which is formulated for laying birds.

If you're unsure whether pellets, crumble or another poultry product is right for your flock, check the product label and contact the store for help selecting an appropriate option.

Need Chicken Feed Near Chatham, Ontario?

Whether you have five backyard hens or a larger flock, the basic principles remain the same:

Feed the right ration.

Provide clean water.

Limit treats.

Store feed properly.

Monitor your flock.

If you're looking for chicken feed in Chatham-Kent or Southwestern Ontario, Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies can help you find poultry feed and supplies suitable for your flock.

Call/Text: 226-774-0933

Call/Text: 519-350-5804

FAQs

What should laying hens eat?

Laying hens should generally have access to a properly formulated complete layer ration designed for laying birds, along with continuous access to clean drinking water.

What is the best chicken feed for laying hens?

The best choice depends on the flock, but a complete layer feed formulated specifically for laying hens is generally the appropriate nutritional foundation.

Are layer pellets better than layer crumble?

Neither is automatically better. Both can provide complete nutrition when properly formulated. The choice can depend on bird preference, feed waste, particle size and management.

Can laying hens eat scratch grain every day?

Scratch grain can be offered as an additional feed, but it should not normally replace the complete layer ration. Excessive grain can dilute the overall nutritional balance.

How much feed does a laying hen need?

Feed intake varies according to bird size, breed, age, production, weather and feed formulation. Follow the manufacturer's feeding directions and monitor your flock's actual consumption.

Do laying hens need calcium?

Yes. Calcium is an important nutrient for eggshell formation. A properly formulated layer feed should provide the calcium required by laying hens.

Do chickens need fresh water all day?

Yes. Clean drinking water should be continuously available to laying hens.

Can backyard chickens live on kitchen scraps?

Kitchen scraps and treats should not replace a complete poultry ration. Too many extras can reduce consumption of nutritionally balanced layer feed.

Should laying hens eat differently in winter?

Their nutritional requirements can change with environmental conditions, particularly in cold weather. Continue providing an appropriate layer ration, clean water and suitable shelter while monitoring flock condition and consumption.

Where can I buy chicken feed near Chatham, Ontario?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies serves poultry owners in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent and surrounding Southwestern Ontario communities with chicken feed and poultry supplies.