Quality chicken feed is essential for keeping your flock healthy, productive, and happy. The right feed provides balanced nutrition with proper protein levels, essential vitamins, minerals, and calcium for strong eggshells. Whether you're raising laying hens, meat birds, or a mixed flock, choosing the right feed type and formulation is crucial for optimal health and egg production.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the best chicken feeds available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on nutritional content, ingredient quality, feed type (mash, pellets, crumbles), protein levels, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Scratch and Peck Organic Chicken Feeds - USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, sustainably sourced, 16% protein
- Best Layer Feed: Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed - High protein, probiotics, amino acids, affordable
- Best Starter Feed: Manna Pro Non-Medicated Starter Crumbles - Perfect for chicks, non-medicated, easy to digest
- Best Pellet Feed: Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed - Pellet form, 16% protein, no fillers
What to Look For in Chicken Feed
When choosing chicken feed, consider these important factors:
Feed Type
Chicken feed comes in three main forms: mash (finely ground), pellets (compressed), and crumbles (broken pellets). Mash is the most natural form and easiest for chickens to digest. Pellets reduce waste and are convenient. Crumbles are ideal for younger birds or as a middle ground between mash and pellets.
Protein Content
Layer feeds typically contain 16-18% protein, which is ideal for egg-laying hens. Starter feeds for chicks contain 20-24% protein. Meat birds require higher protein (20-24%). Choose the protein level based on your flock's age and purpose.
Calcium Levels
Laying hens need adequate calcium (3-4%) for strong eggshells. Layer feeds are formulated with higher calcium than starter or grower feeds. You may also need to provide free-choice calcium supplements like oyster shell.
Ingredient Quality
Look for feeds with high-quality ingredients, preferably organic or non-GMO if that's important to you. Avoid feeds with excessive fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives. Corn and soy are standard energy and protein sources in commercial feeds.
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Protein | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch and Peck Organic | Mash | 16% | Laying hens, organic preference | $$$ |
| Nutrena NatureWise | Crumbles/Pellets | 16% | Laying hens, probiotics | $$ |
| Manna Pro Starter | Crumbles | 20% | Chicks 0-8 weeks | $ |
| Small Pet Select | Pellets | 16% | Laying hens, pellet preference | $$ |
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Scratch and Peck Organic Chicken Feeds - Best Overall
Scratch and Peck Organic Chicken Feeds is our top pick for overall quality and nutrition. This USDA-certified organic feed is made with non-GMO, sustainably sourced ingredients from North America. The Naturally Free Organic Layer Feed contains 16% protein, which is ideal for egg-laying hens 20 weeks and older.
What sets this feed apart is its use of black soldier fly larvae as a protein source, which provides not only protein but also essential amino acids and calcium for stronger eggshells. The feed is in mash form, which is the most natural and easily digestible format for chickens.
The feed is free of fillers and contains organic grains, flax meal, and essential vitamins. It can also be fermented for enhanced nutrition and digestibility. While some feed may be lost to dustiness (common with mash feeds), the nutritional benefits and ingredient quality make this an excellent choice for health-conscious chicken keepers.
Key Features: USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, 16% protein, black soldier fly larvae, mash form, sustainably sourced
2. Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed - Best Layer Feed With Probiotics
Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed is an excellent choice for laying hens, offering high protein content and beneficial probiotics for digestive health. This feed is formulated with 16% protein and includes essential amino acids to support egg production and overall health.
The addition of probiotics helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which can improve nutrient absorption and support immune function. The feed is available in both crumble and pellet forms, giving you flexibility based on your flock's preferences.
This feed provides balanced nutrition with proper calcium levels for strong eggshells. It's an affordable option that doesn't compromise on quality, making it a great choice for both small backyard flocks and larger operations.
Key Features: 16% protein, probiotics, amino acids, crumble/pellet options, affordable, balanced nutrition
3. Manna Pro Non-Medicated Starter Crumbles - Best Starter Feed for Chicks
Manna Pro Non-Medicated Starter Crumbles is specifically designed for young chicks from hatch to 8 weeks of age. This feed contains 20% protein, which is essential for proper growth and development during the critical early weeks.
The crumble form is perfect for small beaks and makes it easy for chicks to eat. The non-medicated formula is ideal if you prefer to avoid medications or if you're raising organic birds. The feed is highly digestible and provides all the essential nutrients chicks need for healthy growth.
This starter feed includes proper levels of vitamins and minerals to support bone development, immune function, and overall health. It's an affordable and reliable choice for raising healthy chicks.
Key Features: 20% protein, non-medicated, crumble form, for chicks 0-8 weeks, highly digestible, affordable
4. Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed - Best Pellet Layer Feed
Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed is an excellent pellet-form feed for laying hens. This feed contains 16% protein and is formulated without fillers, providing clean nutrition for your flock.
Pellets reduce waste compared to mash feeds and are convenient to store and feed. This feed is designed to support egg production with proper calcium levels and balanced nutrition. The pellet form also helps prevent selective eating, ensuring your hens get all the nutrients they need.
This feed is made with high-quality ingredients and provides essential vitamins and minerals for healthy, productive hens. It's a great choice if you prefer the convenience of pellets while maintaining quality nutrition.
Key Features: 16% protein, pellet form, no fillers, reduces waste, supports egg production, quality ingredients
Final Verdict
Scratch and Peck Organic Chicken Feeds is our top choice for overall quality, offering USDA-certified organic ingredients and excellent nutrition. Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed provides great value with probiotics and balanced nutrition. Manna Pro Starter Crumbles is ideal for raising healthy chicks, while Small Pet Select offers quality pellet feed for laying hens.
Remember that adult chickens typically eat about half a cup of feed per day, though this varies with season and access to forage. Always provide fresh water and consider offering free-choice calcium supplements like oyster shell for laying hens. Store feed in a cool, dry place in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.