The 10 Best Chicken Feeds of 2023

Photo: Scratch and Peck Feeds

Healthy poultry requires a constant and sufficient supply of nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and even dietary minerals, all of which can be found in high-quality feeds.

You can boost the health of your birds by giving them feeds that combine most of these nutrients in the same package or make custom feeds that combine many separate elements.

Organic feeds are especially great for improving the health of your birds, while grit-rich feeds help to strengthen eggshells.

In our chicken feeds review, we explore the leading nutrient and mineral-rich feeds you can count on to boost poultry and egg health.

10 Best Chicken Feeds – Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. Manna Pro 7-Grain (Best Overall)	7 nutrition-rich grains Pure non-GMO corn Ideal for a wide range of birds Diversifies feeding regimen
	2. Kalmbach Feeds All Natural (Best for the Money)	Great value for money Intestinal health booster Essential oils boost immunity Antibiotic and hormone-free
	3. Manna Pro Chick Starter (Best Starter Feed for Chicks)	Medicated for coccidiosis inhibition Fortified for healthy chick growth Rich weight-boosting protein content Crumble size optimized for chicks
	4. Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed (Best Whole Grain Feed)	GMO-free and fully organic Corn and soy-free Unprocessed and great for fermenting Maximizes nutrition retention
	5. Manna Pro Oyster Shell (Best Chicken Grit for Strong Eggshells)	Rich source of calcium Strengthens eggshells Heat-treated for purity Economic low utilization
	6. Scratch and Peck Feeds Layer Grit (Best for Improved Digestion)	Effective digestion booster Non-GMO and soy-free Flexibility in feeding options Extensive shelf life
	7. Manna Pro Layer Pellets (Best Organic for Layers)	Organic and non-GMO certified Nutritious high-protein feed Easy-to-feed pellets Reduced feed wastage
	8. Scratch and Peck Feeds Oyster Shell (For Maximum Nutrient Absorption)	Flaked for easy nutrient absorption Calcium strengthens eggshells Flexible poultry feeding choices Encourages natural scratching behavior
	9. Kaytee 100525169 (High-Nutrition Fermented Feed)	Probiotics for improved digestion Omega-3 boosts egg health Calcium strengthens eggs and bones Encourages feeding and foraging
	10. Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed (High-Protein Natural Layer Feed)	High 18% protein content GMO, soy, and corn-free Boost chicken and egg health Rich in vitamins and minerals

1. Manna Pro 7-Grain – Best Overall Chicken Feed

Photo: Manna Pro

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature
• Form of Feed: Chicken Scratch
• Volume: 10 pounds

Coming in first is Manna Pro 7-Grain, our best overall chicken feed, which as the name suggests, is a rich blend of 7 nutrition-heavy ingredients grains all for the benefit of your birds.

The blend includes corn, wheat, milo, barley, oats, millet, and sunflower seeds. Combined, these grains not only boost the energy capacity of your feed but also diversify the feed regime of your birds.

Speaking of birds, this blend is ideal for a mixed flock. You can feed it to chickens, geese, ducks, turkey, and even game birds, if you keen many bird types.

You’ll be pleased to know that the feed is also non-GMO. It utilizes pure USA corn, which has been colored purple to attract the birds. Also, it has no artificial flavors, cholesterol, or MSG.

If you rear a lot of birds, you may find this 10-pound feed a little expensive to buy regularly, but its value justifies the price. 

Pros:

• Rich multi-grain blend
• Diversifies feeding regime
• Great for mixed flocks
• Free of GMO and MSG

Cons:

• May prove pricey with regular use

2. Kalmbach Feeds All Natural – Best Chicken Feed for the Money

Photo: Kalmbach Feeds

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Crumble
• Volume: 50 pounds

Kalmbach Feeds All Natural offers you the best chicken feed value for your money. You get this natural crumble fix in a 50-pound bag at a great bargain.

But the value you get from this product is not just tied to cost. This blend, which Kalmbach Feeds calls “Lifeguard” contains prebiotics, probiotics, essential oils, and digestive enzymes designed to improve your poultry’s gut health.

The prebiotic and probiotic combination especially maintains beneficial bacteria in the gut, which is a great booster of intestinal health.

Essential oils are responsible for providing a constant supply of anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties, which help improve bird immunity and stress reduction.

There are no animal proteins or fats in this feed. Also, it is free of antibiotics and hormones, to promote natural bird growth.

We did notice, however, that Kalmbach Feeds All Natural is not clear on non-GMO content in the All Natural feed.

Pros:

• A great bargain
• Boosts intestinal health
• Improves birds’ immunity
• Free of hormones

Cons:

• Not clear on GMO content

3. Manna Pro Chick Starter – Best Starter Chicken Feed for Chicks

Photo: Manna Pro

• Type of Feed: Medicated
• Growth Stage: Starter, Grower
• Form of Feed: Crumble
• Volume: 5 pounds

The medication and fortification of Manna Pro Chick Starter make the chicken feed the best for starter chicks, to help stimulate their healthy growth.

This feed comes with amprolium added to it for the prevention of coccidiosis, a common disease that affects growing chicken and can be lethal if not contained.

Besides preventive medication, the feed has been fortified with Vitamins and minerals, which combine to simulate the healthy and sound growth of your poultry.

Superior nutrition is ensured by feed’s guarantee of an 18% protein content, which helps boost weight gain and muscle development in chicks, as they progress towards maturity.

And because this feed is optimized for chicks, it comes in crumble form, which is easy to consume and digest.

We didn’t like the fact that Manna Pro Chick Starter comes in a non-resealable bag, which would help boost freshness.

Pros:

• Medicated for prevent coccidiosis
• Fortified for healthy growth
• Supports weight gain
• Crumble form ideal for chicks

Cons:

• Feed bag is not resealable

4. Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed – Best Whole Grain Chicken Feed

Photo: Scratch and Peck Feeds

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Chicken Scratch
• Volume: 25 pounds

Natural raw whole grain is one of the natural nutrition-boosters you can feed your chicken and other poultry, and Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed offers that and much more.

This feed is fully natural. It is USDA Certified Organic and also Non-GMO Project Verified, which are all the guarantees you need to ascertain you’re getting the healthiest for your birds and family. It is also free of soy and corn.

It comes in whole grain unpelletized form, which is raw and unprocessed. This form helps maximize nutrients retention and better absorption of the same by the digestive system.

Because it is unprocessed, this feed is a great choice for fermenting, a process that can increase probiotics content for improved digestion.

If you’re not used to feeding whole grain to your hens, then you may need to mix the Scratch and Peck Feeds Organic Feed with others, which demands a bit of extra time and effort.

Pros:

• Organic and GMO-free
• Soy and corn-free
• Maximizes nutrient retention
• Great for fermenting

Cons:

• May need extra preparation

5. Manna Pro Oyster Shell – Best Chicken Grit for Strong Egg Shells

Photo: Manna Pro

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature
• Form of Feed: Chicken Grit
• Volume: 5 pounds

Calcium is vital to the creation of strong eggs, which won’t crack easily, and Manna Pro Oyster Shell pullet-sized feed offers this mineral in plenty.

This grit comprises of pullet-sized crushed oyster shell, which a rich source of calcium. By adding this coral and oyster shell mix to regular layers feed, you can eliminate problems such as soft, cracked, or broken eggs.

It is effective in building strong eggshells by providing a constant supply of calcium. This is a very economical source, especially if you have a small flock. Simply add 1 pound of this mix to 20 pounds of your preferred layer mix.

And because this grit contains just 2 ingredients, which have been heat-treated, this mix is one of the purest you can get for your chicken.

Because this mix comes in grit form, some grinding may be necessary in case your birds struggle to consume it.

Pros:

• Rich source of calcium
• Helps build strong eggshells
• Heat-treated to boost purity
• Economical feed

Cons:

• May need grinding in some cases

6. Scratch and Peck Feeds Layer Grit – Best Chicken feed for Improved Digestion

Photo: Scratch and Peck Feeds

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Grit
• Volume: 7 pounds

Scratch and Peck Feeds Layer Grit is an excellent boost to the healthy development of your birds’ gizzards, which in turn, helps with digestion and grinding food.

Because of improved digestion, this grit also contributes to the maximization of the nutrient benefits contained within the regular feed you give your chickens, especially the mature layers.

It also offers flexibility in feeding options. You can give it as a free choice, put it in a separate dish, or toss it on the ground in the chicken coop where the grit can encourage natural scratching behavior.

Also, because this grit is made up of insoluble crushed quartzite and granite, the supplement has an extended shelf life and will retain its value for long.

The Scratch and Peck Feeds Layer Grit is for mature layer chicken, and to feed it to smaller chicks, you will need to get another bag with smaller-sized grit.

Pros:

• Boosts digestion in poultry
• Maximizes whole-grain nutrients
• Supports flexible feeding options
• Grit has extended shelf life

Cons:

• Not ideal for chicks

7. Manna Pro Layer Pellets – Best Organic Chicken Feed for Layers

Photo: Manna Pro

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Pellet
• Volume: 30 pounds

To maximize the nutrition of your hens, Manna Pro Layer Pellets adopt a fully-organic and non-GMO composition, which has been certified by the USDA.

It is a high-protein feed designed to improve the health productivity of your flock so that it can produce organic and delicious eggs. The 16% protein content is especially useful in boosting chicken strength and egg quality.

Because the feed comes in pellet form, it is easy for mature chicken and even ducks to consume. This form also helps reduce feed wastage by ensuring maximum consumption.

This feed is also free of any artificial colors and flavor, to maintain a full organic identity, for the benefit of your birds.

Even though Manna Pro Layer Pellets come in a decent 30-pound quantity, this package is one of the pricier ones on our list. But it’s a worthwhile cost for a fully-organic feed.

Pros:

• Certified organic and non-GMO feed
• Healthy protein content
• Easy to consume with less wastage
• Free of artificial flavors and colors

Cons:

• Pricey package

8. Scratch and Peck Feeds Oyster Shell – Chicken Feed for Maximum Nutrient Absorption

Photo: Scratch and Peck Feeds

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Flaked
• Volume: 4 pounds

The flaked form of Scratch and Peck Feeds Oyster Shell maximizes the absorption of calcium and other nutrients, which help boost the strength of chicken and duck eggshells.

Although this oyster shell is not a substitute for grit, it works well to help with chicken gizzard development, which maximizes of whole-grain feeds’ nutrient benefits.

You can finally eliminate the problem of soft eggs that easily break, by ensuring that the chicken and ducks have a regular supply of calcium throughout the egg-making process.

It offers you some degree of feeding flexibility. You can give it as a free choice in a separate feeding dish, or toss it on the ground in the chicken coop and it can help encourage natural scratching behavior in your birds.

For a 4-pounds package, the Scratch and Peck Feeds Oyster Shell is pricey. You won’t be getting a lot of value for your money, especially if you keep a big flock that feeds regularly.

Pros:

• Maximizes nutrient absorption
• Aids in gizzard development
• Strengthens eggshells
• Flexible feeding options

Cons:

• Not the best value for money

9. Kaytee 100525169 – High-Nutrition Fermented Chicken Feed

Photo: Kaytee

• Type of Feed: Fermented
• Growth Stage: Mature
• Form of Feed: Pellet
• Volume: 3 pounds

Kaytee 100525169 excels in supporting your chicken’s digestive health thanks to its adoption of probiotics as a major building block.  

This dietary supplement is great for finishers, layers, and brooders because it contains a wealth of nutrients including protein, calcium, and even fiber. Calcium is especially great for strengthening bones and eggs.

Egg nutrition is another benefit this feed offers. Because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, the feed is a great booster of egg health, which is a big deal for both consumers and breeders. It helps maintain the consistency of egg quality.

The inclusion of corn and mealworm in this feed boosts the nutritional content in each bit. Also, the fact that it comes in pellet form maximizes feeding, reduces wastage, and encourage foraging behaviors.

Disappointingly, Kaytee 100525169 comes in a rather small 3-pound package, without any larger package options. 

Pros:

• Probiotics boost digestion health
• Strengthens bones and eggs
• Improves egg health
• Maximizes feeding and foraging

Cons:

• One small package option

10. Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed – High-Protein Natural Layer Feed

Photo: Small Pet Select

• Type of Feed: Non-medicated
• Growth Stage: Mature (Layer)
• Form of Feed: Pellet
• Volume: 25 pounds

A high protein content, such as the one contained in Small Pet Select Chicken Layer Feed, can help boost the health of your poultry and eggs, especially when fed to layers.

This feed boasts of an 18% protein content, which provides constant strength to your chicken especially as they go through the laying stage, which is critical, because of the constant demand for high egg quality.

The all-natural feed is free of soy and corn. It is also non-GMO. To ensure your chickens are getting the safest and healthiest feed, this mix combines grains, seed, and even Omega-3 oil.

A lot of vitamins, including A, D, E, and b-12, and others have been included in this feed’s formulation. Fiber, phosphorous, and calcium are also in plenty.

We did note, however, that some of the peas included in the mix large and even mature chicken may struggle to eat them. Some grinding may be necessary.

Pros:

• High protein content
• Natural, corn, and soy-free
• Rich in calcium and other minerals
• Mixes pellets, grains, and seeds

Cons:

• Some grains are too large

How to Buy the Best Chicken Feed

Photo: Small Pet Select

1. Stage of Chicken’s Growth

The type of feed you get for your chicken is influenced, largely, by the birds’ growth stage. Starters, growers, and layers all require certain key nutrients to boost their health at their respective stages.

For instance, starter chicks require protein-rich feeds, such as the medicated Manna Pro Chick Starter, which boost muscle growth and strong bones. Growers also benefit the most from muscle-building feeds.

Layers, which are at the egg-producing stage, benefit from calcium-rich feeds, which are optimized for increasing eggshell strength to prevent the production of broken or soft eggs.

2. Types of Chicken Feed

Medicated: These feeds often contain some kind of poultry-safe medication to prevent common bird diseases, such as coccidiosis, especially at the starter stage.

Manna Pro Chick Starter is an excellent medicated feed you can get for your starter chicks.

Non-Medicated: Although these feeds do not contain any medication pre-applied to them, they are still highly beneficial to your chicken thanks to their wealth of nutrients.

They are especially ideal for mature layers where superior egg health is the primary priority.

Fermented: These feeds not only increase nutrient availability for your birds, but they also boost hen and egg health by providing natural probiotics. They also help minimize feed costs.

3. Nutrients

Nutrients are, arguably, the main reason why you’d want to keep your chicken on a constant feed diet. Healthy chickens are tastier and produce high-quality eggs.

Chicken feeds are rich in nutrients such as vitamins and proteins, and some also contain high amounts of minerals such as calcium, which boosts bone and egg strength.

Although the demand for nutrients is constant across the lifespan of your birds, growth stages have a significant influence on the specific elements that your birds need.

Omega-3, just like calcium, helps boost egg nutrition, which probiotics-rich feeds enhance digestive health.

4. Safety

Even though feeds are recommended for improving the health of your chicken by boosting their nutrition, it’s vital that you choose those that embrace the highest safety standards.

Safety means the absence of toxins or contaminants often considered harmful to both animals and consumers of the products they produce.

When choosing feeds for your chicken, aim for those that are fully organics and free of elements such as GMOs, whose safety is hard to ascertain.

Also, avoid feeds with significant amounts of additives such as MSG, which is still very controversial. You can’t go wrong with organic feeds, which should be safe for your birds.

5. Forms of Feeds

Chicken feeds come in different forms, depending on the growth stage of the birds that will consume them, and the purpose they will be serving in the poultry.

Crumble and mash forms are ideal for starter chicks and growers to help simplify consumption and digestion. Pellets are great for mature chicken because they are easy to peck and also help minimize wastage.

Shell grit tends to be bigger than most of the other feeds, but that’s okay because it is used sparingly and is intended to boost nutrient absorption during digestion of regular feed.

Conclusion

Our chicken feeds review demonstrates the value your poultry stands to gain from these nutrition-rich diet enhancements.

If you want the best wholesome feed for your chicken, choose Manna Pro 7-Grain, which is a rich 7-grain blend that diversifies you birds’ feeding regime.

If the value for money is a priority, then go for Kalmbach Feeds All Natural. It comes in a high 50-pound volume that’s a good bargain for its price.

And if you’re just getting started with chick starters, then the protein-rich Manna Pro Chick Starter is ideal for them because it is also medicated.