🧮 Chicken Feed Calculator (Daily Amounts)

Chickens need about ½ cup of feed per hen per day (~0.25 lbs). Enter your flock size below to see how much to feed:

💲 Feed Cost Calculator

See how long a bag lasts and your estimated cost per day & per month:

🌱 Fermented Feed Calculator (with Cost Savings)

Fermenting can reduce feed use by 30–50% for many flocks. Enter your details to compare normal vs. fermented feed, bag longevity, costs, and savings.

What Is Fermenting Chicken Feed?

Fermenting chicken feed means soaking your regular dry feed in water for 2–3 days until natural, beneficial bacteria—mainly Lactobacillus—begin to multiply.

This gentle fermentation:

• reduces anti-nutrients in grains
• releases more bioavailable vitamins and amino acids
• infuses the ration with probiotics.

You’ll notice a pleasant, tangy aroma and a softly bubbly surface; when stirred, the mash is moist and spoonable, not soupy.

How Much Feed Per Day?

The simple rule is ½ cup per chicken per day (≈0.25 lbs). Cups are easy to measure and keep things consistent when different family members help with chores. Over time, adjust slightly based on leftovers and season. Here’s a quick table I lean on during planning:

Flock Size	Feed Per Day
4 hens	2 cups (~1 lb)
6 hens	3 cups (~1.5 lbs)
10 hens	5 cups (~2.5 lbs)
12 hens	6 cups (~3 lbs)
20 hens	10 cups (~5 lbs)

Factors That Change Feed Intake

Use the calculators for baselines, then fine-tune intake with these realities:

• Breed & size: Heavier dual-purpose breeds (Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks) eat more than bantams and slim Mediterranean types.
• Age & stage: Chicks eat small amounts of higher-protein starter; pullets ramp up as they near laying; older hens may slow intake in hot spells.
• Egg production: Active layers require consistent energy; big day-to-day swings in portions can show up as soft shells or erratic laying.
• Season & weather: Expect a 10–15% bump in winter for warmth; some summer days bring lighter appetites—especially in free-rangers.
• Activity & access: Free-range birds often eat less feed thanks to bugs and greens; confined flocks rely on the feeder entirely.

Personal note: I keep a scoop in my feeder and watch for a “halo” of wasted feed on the floor. If I see it two days in a row, I shave 5–10% off the next day’s portion.

Types of Feed: Which to Choose

• Starter (20–24% protein): Tiny crumble for chicks until ~6–8 weeks. High protein supports rapid growth.
• Grower (16–18%): Pullets until first eggs. Balanced protein without extra calcium.
• Layer (16–18% + calcium): For active layers; supports strong shells and steady production.
• Broiler (20–22%): For meat birds bred to grow fast.
• Pellets vs. crumbles vs. mash: Pellets minimize waste; crumbles suit younger birds; mash can be dusty but many flocks love it slightly moistened.

When I switched a messy flock from crumbles to pellets, waste dropped by about a cup a day. Over a month, that’s a real cost savings you can feel.

Weekly & Monthly Planning

Knowing daily feed is great; budgeting by the bag is better. Use this as a planning reference before your next feed-store run:

Flock Size	Weekly Feed	Monthly Feed (30 days)	50-lb Bag Lasts
6 hens	≈10.5 lbs	≈45 lbs	~33 days
10 hens	≈17.5 lbs	≈75 lbs	~20 days
12 hens	≈21 lbs	≈90 lbs	~16–17 days
20 hens	≈35 lbs	≈150 lbs	~10 days

Storage: Use tight-sealing bins (metal or thick plastic), keep off the floor on blocks, and rotate bags (first-in, first-out). Fresh feed keeps hens eating well and shells strong.

Tips to Stop Feed Waste & Save on Costs

• Elevate feeders: Set them 6–8 inches off the ground to keep litter out.
• Smaller refills: Refill daily instead of overfilling; hens are less likely to scatter it.
• Separate supplements: Offer oyster shell and grit in their own containers so hens don’t overeat feed to meet mineral needs.
• Pellets over crumbles: Pellets reduce waste for most adult flocks, while crumbles can get dusty and scattered.
• Herbal calm: Chamomile and peppermint in Nesting Box Herbs promote calmer coops, which means calmer eating and less waste.

Common Feeding Mistakes

Even seasoned chicken keepers slip up—here are mistakes I’ve made and seen over the years:

• Too many scraps: Kitchen scraps are fun, but too many can dilute nutrition and lead to picky eaters.
• Skipping grit: Chickens need grit to grind food. Without it, even the best feed isn’t fully digested.
• Ignoring season: Not bumping feed slightly in winter leaves hens struggling for warmth; ignoring appetite dips in summer leads to waste.
• Letting feed go stale: Feed older than 6 weeks can lose vitamins—rotate stock and store in sealed bins.
• Neglecting water: Hydration is half the equation; feed without water slows digestion and reduces intake.

Herbal Support for Chickens

Balanced feed is the base of a healthy flock—but herbs can make a big difference in comfort, immunity, and even egg production quality. I always keep three blends on hand:

• Nesting Box Herbs: Keeps nesting areas fresh, reduces odor, and calms hens for steady laying.
• Cooling Herbs: Hibiscus, lemon balm, peppermint, rose petals, and chamomile help hens through hot summers.
• Warming Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage support circulation, digestion, and immune strength in cold months.

These blends aren’t replacements for balanced feed—but they do help prevent stress, which is one of the biggest hidden factors in wasted feed and lost production.

FAQs

How much feed does one hen eat per week?

Roughly 1.5–1.8 lbs per hen per week (≈3.5–4 cups), depending on breed and season.

How long does a 50-lb bag of feed last?

For 10 hens, about 20 days. For 6 hens, closer to 33 days. Use the calculators above for precise results.

Do free-range hens eat less feed?

Yes, often 10–20% less, especially in summer when bugs and greens are abundant.

Does molting affect feeding?

Yes, hens may need more protein during molts to regrow feathers. Consider adding a fermented ration or high-protein snacks.

Can scraps replace commercial feed?

No—scraps are fine in moderation but cannot replace a nutritionally balanced ration.

Conclusion

Feeding chickens doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. The golden rule of ½ cup of feed per hen per day is a solid starting point, but by using the chicken feed calculators above you can:

• plan daily amounts
• calculate cost per bag
• measure how fermenting stretches each bag further

Fermenting is not only one of the best ways to save on feed costs, it also:

• improves digestion
• boosts immunity
• makes for happier, healthier hens

Pair these smart feeding strategies with seasonal herbal support like Nesting Box Herbs, Cooling Herbs, and Warming Herbs. Together, these small adjustments will keep your flock thriving while your feed bill stays manageable.