All Types of Poultry Feeds for Chicken: Which One Is the Best?

Is your flock not growing as expected? Maybe you are giving them the wrong kind of feed. 

Yes, ensuring the right type of poultry feed with well-balanced nutrients is crucial. There are different types of poultry feeds based on each life stage and the purpose for raising them (eggs or meat). 

Ahead, we will help you choose the best feeds for your poultry farm, which will not only support a strong immune system but also increase the effectiveness of egg/meat production. We have also shared the nutritional value that the feeds must contain, as well as the ones that you must avoid. 

So, keep on reading till the end!

Poultry Feeds Based on Each Life Stage

Before we dive directly into the types of poultry feeds, there are more essential considerations you must understand as a poultry farmer. The ideal feed based on the life stage of the birds! 

Each stage of your poultry birds needs specific nutrition to support their immune system, growth, good digestion, and overall health. 

From starter to finisher, every phase of their lifecycle undergoes rapid changes that necessitate a closer examination of the protein and mineral levels in their feed. Here are the types of chicken feed that are perfect for each life stage of your flock: 

Feeds for Started (1 to 6 weeks)

Small chicks are vulnerable to getting infected by some common disease outbreaks at this stage. That’s why feeds for starters contain some valuable medication that helps them build a stronger immune system naturally. 

Usually, chicks below 6 weeks highly depend on 20% to 25% protein content. So, you must ensure they have constant access to feed and fresh water for better growth. 

Pro Tips: Mix low-level medication like Amprolium into the starter feed and Mega Mineral into their water to help them fight chronic diseases and support bone health. But don’t give this medicated starter feed to laying chickens, as it may cause severe health issues.

Feeds for Grower (7 to 18 weeks)

If you are providing unnecessary calcium, vitamins, and minerals to your grower chicken aged between 7 and 18 weeks, stop today! They are more suited for the full-grown hens, not the teenage chookies. 

You should provide them with grower feeds that contain around 16% to 18% protein with well-measured vitamins and minerals for their steady growth. Yes, constant growth is necessary because during this period, they have a risk of excessive weight gain, which can strain their underdeveloped bones. 

Pro Tips: If the grower’s feed is unavailable, we switch to non-medicated starter feed for chicks over 7 weeks. But remember that medicated starter feeds are absolutely not suitable for growers.

Feeds for Layer (18+ Weeks)

You must watch out for the time when the hens are at the point of lay. So, start by understanding the breed type. Cause ISA Browns start to lay early, at 12 weeks, whereas most other breeds begin laying between 18 and 22 weeks. 

When you understand the point of lay, switch to layer feeds that contain less protein and around 4% calcium content. Calcium in the layer feeds is an essential component for strong eggshell formation. Also, layer feeds contain a blend of vitamin D and other minerals, which helps with better calcium absorption. 

Pro Tips: We provide an additional supplement, Optomega Feed Supplement, by mixing it with the layering feed. This omega-3-rich supplement is great for maintaining the health of the chicken and the eggs.

Feeds for Broiler (Meat Chicken)

Broiler breeds are fast-growing, so their feeds should focus on supporting the rapid development rather than egg production and quality. 

The feeds for the broilers hold a higher protein level of 18% to 20%, supporting better muscle growth and fattening. These types of poultry feeds promote healthy weight gain to produce tastier and leaner meat. 

Again, the broiler chickens are more prone to coccidiosis disease as compared to laying chickens. So, their feeds are especially designed to prevent the spread of such common diseases. 

Pro Tips: Providing the wrong type of feeds or overfeeding can lead to excessive fat, which can have a negative impact on the meat quality and taste. So, we highly recommend you consult with the breed supplier for the feed.

Some Common Types of Poultry Feeds

There are various standard poultry feeds available on the market for specific purposes and health. Let’s check them out: 

Pellets

Pellets are a popular cylindrical-shaped feed that contains well-balanced nutrients, ensuring a complete diet for the birds. Due to the shape, it is easy for the chickens to pick, which reduces feed waste. Apart from that, pellets are really good for adult egg layers as well as broilers for egg production and growth. 

But this is not an ideal feed for starters or smaller chicks. So which one is? 

Mash 

Mash is one of the best types of poultry feeds for chicks. It is also great for specific chickens that find pellets hard to pick. 

Mash is finely ground and not compressed, which makes it easier for chicks to pick and digest. But it can be messy. So, what we do is mix it with clean water to make a wet feed and provide it to the younger flock. 

Crumble

Crumble has a size which falls between pellets and mash, specially designed for younger chicks who are in their transition. This is easier to pick, faster to digest, and still has essential nutrients. 

We have seen our chickens loving crumble more than pellets and mash. However, this only has a different texture, but the components are not much different. 

Chicken Scratch

To be honest, scratch is like a cheat meal for the chickens. Sometimes chickens get bored with the same food. So, scratch becomes the only option to offer them a change of mind. 

However, chicken scratch has less nutritional value, while it is a good source of energy as compared to the other poultry feeds mentioned above. So, it’s better not to rely on this exclusively and consider it a time to time treat. 

Must Note: You should never give chicken scratch to sick birds. They require more nutrient-rich feed for immunity building and fighting against the disease. 

Medicated Feeds for Chickens 

Deadly parasitic diseases easily attack starter or young chicks. That’s why we often recommend poultry farmers to provide special medicated feeds to the young birds. The amprolium and other chemical compounds in the feeds help them fight the diseases. But once the younger chooks get vaccinated, start providing them medicated feeds. The chemical in it can hinder the effectiveness of the vaccine. 

Organic Feeds

If you want to grow the chickens naturally, you can rely on organic feeds. These feeds do not contain any artificial additives and are ideal for providing chemical-free eggs and meat. 

These types of poultry feeds are ideal for raising the healthiest kind of chicken possible. But you can already guess the downside: the cost. Yes, it is an expensive option. 

Whole Grain Feeds 

If you decide to rely solely on organic sources, whole-grain feeds are also a great alternative. It contains high-energy sources like wheat, oats, corn, and barley mixed with protein sources like peas and seeds. However, chickens with a good digestive system can only consume it as part of a well-balanced diet. 

So, if your chickens only have natural feed sources, you should add whole grains to their diet plan with proper calcium supplements. 

With that said, these are all the common types of poultry feeds for chickens. But for the best of your chickens’ growth and health, you must also ensure that they are getting all the vital nutrients through their feeds. 

How so? I’ve mentioned all the major nutrients chicken feeds must contain. Let’s check the list: 

Nutritional Value That Chicken Feeds Must Contain 

While the feed type for each stage of the poultry birds is essential, checking the nutritional value is also paramount. Whether the birds are at their starter, grower, or layer stage, they need a well-balanced feed for muscle building, feather development, and egg laying. 

Major Nutrients 

• Protein: For muscle building and egg production, daily protein consumption is required for chickens in any life stage. 

• Energy sources: Proper energy sources like wheat, corn, and other grains provide the fuel for the growth and daily activity of the starter and grower chickens.

• Hydration: Hydration is truly necessary for poultry birds, as water makes up almost 70% of their body weight and supports their digestive system. 

• Fats: This is also important for broilers (for meat) to build muscle. It also provides energy to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) quickly. 

Key Vitamins 

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins: As we have already mentioned, fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, and vitamin K in the feed are essential to ensure proper immune function and reproductive health. 

• B-Complex Vitamins: Besides that, folic acid, B1, B2, B12, niacin, and choline ensure good skin condition, metabolic health, and prevent fatty livers within chickens. 

Essential Minerals 

• Macrominerals: Microminerals like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium are also necessary for egg-laying birds. 

Avoid These Types of Poultry Feeds

While there are a lot of other things that you can feed to your poultry birds, these are the toxic ones you must avoid: 

✘ Don’t give your chickens avocado. This the persin in it can cause serious respiratory disease and even heart failure in the chickens. 

✘ While grains are a good source of energy, raw beans are highly dangerous for them. You can offer cooked beans as a safer and more natural option.

✘ Onion and garlic can destroy red blood cells and cause anemia in chickens. So it’s another big no-no.

✘ Dairy products are also not safe for poultry birds. It can cause diarrhea.  

So, Which Poultry Feed Is Best for Your Chicken?

There are various types of poultry feeds available in the market. With so many options, it might be overwhelming to choose from. 

So, you must consider the breed type, their purpose (egg or meat), and the life stage to consider the necessary nutrients for them. We highly recommend that you choose the best brand available in your locality. 

Our best suggestion is to go for mash for the starters, crumble for the growers, and pellets for the full-grown chickens. Also, ensure regular supplements for their overall growth. 

Hope this guide has been helpful for you to ensure the best health and growth of your chickens. For more such helpful content on poultry farming, stay hooked with us!

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