Use commercial layer feed as the dietary staple

Feed a commercially formulated layer feed as 90% of your hens' diet. Layer feed contains 16% protein with added calcium (3.5–4.5%) specifically formulated for egg production. Switch from grower feed to layer feed at 18 weeks or when hens lay their first egg, whichever comes first. Provide feed in a hanging or treadle feeder to reduce waste and contamination.

Why It Works

Commercial layer feed is scientifically balanced to provide the exact ratio of protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and amino acids that laying hens need. A hen producing 250+ eggs per year deposits roughly 20 times her own skeletal calcium into eggshells annually — only a properly formulated feed can sustain that output without depleting her body.

Tips

• Choose pellets over crumbles to reduce waste — hens waste up to 30% less with pellets
• Store feed in a sealed metal container to prevent moisture, mold, and rodent access
• A laying hen eats roughly 1/4 pound (about 1/2 cup) of feed per day
• Do not feed layer feed to chicks or pullets under 18 weeks — the high calcium content can damage developing kidneys