How Much Feed Do 10 Chickens Need Per Month?

If you keep 10 laying hens, knowing how much feed they need each month makes it much easier to plan your feed purchases and control your poultry budget.

how much feed for 10 chickens

As a practical starting point, many laying hens consume roughly 100–120 grams of complete layer feed per bird per day, although actual intake varies. Ontario poultry data show that feed consumption can change with environmental temperature, while commercial-layer performance guides also show intake changing with age and production stage.

For 10 hens, that gives you a useful planning range of approximately:

1.0–1.2 kg per day

30–36 kg per 30-day month

That means a 25 kg bag will generally not last a full month for 10 laying hens if complete layer feed is their primary ration.

Quick answer: Plan for approximately 30–36 kg of complete layer feed per month for 10 laying hens, then adjust your actual amount based on your flock's consumption and feed wastage.

Chicken Feed Calculator for 10 Hens

Use this simple formula:

Number of chickens × grams of feed per chicken per day × number of days ÷ 1,000 = kilograms of feed

For 10 hens eating 100 g each per day:

10 × 100 × 30 ÷ 1,000 = 30 kg

For 10 hens eating 120 g each per day:

10 × 120 × 30 ÷ 1,000 = 36 kg

Monthly Feed Estimate

Daily Feed Per Hen	10 Hens / Day	30-Day Requirement
90 g	0.90 kg	27 kg
100 g	1.00 kg	30 kg
110 g	1.10 kg	33 kg
120 g	1.20 kg	36 kg
130 g	1.30 kg	39 kg

These are planning estimates rather than guaranteed consumption figures. Individual hens can eat more or less depending on conditions.

How Long Does a 25 kg Bag Last for 10 Chickens?

This is one of the most common questions from backyard chicken keepers.

At an estimated 100 g per hen per day:

25 kg ÷ 1 kg/day = 25 days

At 110 g:

25 kg ÷ 1.1 kg/day = approximately 23 days

At 120 g:

25 kg ÷ 1.2 kg/day = approximately 21 days

25 kg Bag Calculator

Feed Intake	Approx. Days for 10 Hens
90 g/hen/day	28 days
100 g/hen/day	25 days
110 g/hen/day	23 days
120 g/hen/day	21 days
130 g/hen/day	19 days

So, for a flock of 10 laying hens, a 25 kg bag may last approximately 3 weeks, depending on actual consumption and wastage.

What Affects How Much Chickens Eat?

There isn't one exact number that applies to every flock.

1. Weather

Temperature has a major effect on feed intake. Ontario research shows that hens can reduce their feed consumption during heat stress, while birds exposed to colder conditions generally eat more as they require additional energy for maintaining body temperature.

This is particularly important for Ontario chicken keepers because summer and winter conditions can be very different.

2. Age and Production

A laying hen's feed intake can change as she moves through different stages of production. Commercial layer data show feed consumption changing with production phase and age.

3. Breed and Body Size

Large breeds generally have different nutritional and intake requirements than smaller breeds.

4. Activity Level

Free-range and backyard hens may spend considerable time scratching, walking and foraging. More active birds may consume more feed.

5. Feed Wastage

Not everything placed in a feeder is necessarily eaten.

Chickens can scratch feed onto the ground, spill pellets or crumble and contaminate feed with litter.

Reducing wastage can make your feed supply last noticeably longer.

Complete Layer Feed vs Scratch Grain

It's important to distinguish between complete layer feed and treats such as scratch grain.

Complete poultry feeds are formulated to provide a balanced combination of nutrients. Extension guidance recommends a prepared feed that is balanced for protein, vitamins and minerals for laying hens.

Scratch grain, cracked corn and similar grains can be useful as a treat, but they should not automatically be treated as a replacement for a properly formulated complete layer ration.

If you give too much scratch grain, kitchen scraps or other treats, hens may consume less of their complete feed.

A Simple Rule

Complete layer feed = main ration

Scratch grain = supplemental treat

Always follow the feeding directions on the specific feed you purchase.

How Much Feed Should You Buy for 10 Chickens?

If your flock uses around 30–36 kg per month, you can plan your purchases around that amount.

For example:

1 month: approximately 30–36 kg2 months: approximately 60–72 kg3 months: approximately 90–108 kg

If you purchase 25 kg bags, this works out to approximately:

1.2–1.4 bags per month

In practical terms, you may want to keep at least two 25 kg bags available rather than waiting until your current bag is completely empty.

How to Reduce Chicken Feed Waste

Good feeder management can help you get more value from every bag.

Keep Feeders at the Correct Height

Position the feeder so that birds can comfortably eat without standing directly inside it.

Don't Overfill

Overfilling can increase spillage, particularly when hens scratch and throw feed around.

Keep Feed Dry

Moisture can spoil feed and reduce its usefulness.

Store Feed Properly

Keep bags in a cool, dry and rodent-resistant location.

Use a suitable sealed feed container where appropriate and regularly check stored feed for moisture, pests or contamination.

Monitor Actual Consumption

The best calculator for your flock is your flock itself.

Record:

Feed purchased − feed remaining = feed consumed

Then divide by the number of hens and days.

This gives you a much more accurate figure for your specific birds.

How Much Does It Cost to Feed 10 Chickens?

Once you know your monthly feed requirement, calculating feed cost is easy.

Use:

Monthly feed used in kg × price per kg = monthly feed cost

For example, if your flock uses 33 kg per month and your feed costs $1.20 per kg:

33 × $1.20 = $39.60 per month

Your actual cost will depend on the feed brand, formulation, bag size and current Ontario retail price.

This is why calculating cost per kilogram can be more useful than comparing bag prices alone.

25 kg vs 20 kg vs 10 kg Feed Bags

When comparing chicken feed, don't only look at the price printed on the bag.

Calculate:

Bag price ÷ bag weight = cost per kg

For example, a $30 bag containing 25 kg costs:

$30 ÷ 25 = $1.20/kg

This allows you to compare different bag sizes fairly.

Don't Forget Fresh Water

Feed is only one part of flock management.

Hens need continuous access to clean, fresh drinking water. Ontario guidance notes that water consumption can vary considerably with environmental conditions, and laying hens may drink substantially more during warmer conditions.

Keep drinkers clean and check them regularly, especially during hot Ontario summers and freezing winter weather.

FAQ?

How much feed does 10 chickens eat per day?

As a practical planning range, 10 laying hens may consume approximately 1–1.2 kg of complete layer feed per day, although actual consumption varies with breed, production, weather, activity and feed wastage.

How much feed do 10 chickens need per month?

Using a 100–120 g per-hen daily planning range, 10 hens would require approximately 30–36 kg per 30 days.

How long will a 25 kg bag of feed last 10 chickens?

At approximately 100–120 g per hen per day, a 25 kg bag would last approximately 21–25 days.

Can I feed scratch grain instead of layer feed?

Scratch grain should generally be considered a supplemental treat rather than a replacement for a complete layer ration. Complete feeds are designed to provide balanced nutrition.

Do chickens eat more in winter?

They can. Colder temperatures can increase energy requirements and feed consumption, while hot weather can reduce feed intake.

How can I make chicken feed last longer?

Reduce spillage, keep feeders properly positioned, avoid overfilling, store feed correctly and monitor actual flock consumption.