Chicken Feed Calculator
Budgeting feed and storage? Enter your flock size to estimate daily, weekly and monthly consumption and how long a standard 50-lb bag lasts.
Chicken Feed Calculator
Why use the Chicken Feed Calculator
Guessing feed means either running out or hoarding bags. This projects daily, weekly and bag-life so you reorder on time.
How to get your numbers
- Number of adult laying hens.
- Free-ranging birds may eat a little less bagged feed.
Recommended for this job
How to use it
- Enter your number of adult laying hens.
- Use the daily figure to plan storage and reorders.
- Free-ranging birds may eat a little less bagged feed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chicken eat per day?
An adult laying hen eats roughly ¼ lb (about ½ cup) of feed per day, or around 1.5 lbs of feed per dozen eggs.
How long does a 50-lb bag of chicken feed last?
For six hens eating ¼ lb each, a 50-lb bag lasts about a month. Enter your flock size above for your own number.
What do chickens need besides feed?
Constant fresh water, grit to grind their food, and free-choice oyster shell or crushed eggshell for eggshell calcium.
How much feed per dozen eggs?
About 1.5 lbs of quality layer feed per dozen eggs, assuming healthy, well-managed hens.
Do free-range chickens eat less feed?
Somewhat — foraging offsets part of their diet in the warm months, but they still need balanced feed available, especially in winter.
What kind of feed do laying hens need?
A complete layer feed with about 16% protein and added calcium. Chicks and pullets need starter/grower feed until they begin laying.
Can I feed chickens kitchen scraps?
In moderation — keep treats and scraps under about 10% of the diet so the balanced feed still does its job.
