Veterinário Raiz
English

Português

Brasil

Español

Español

English

EnglishCurrent
Choose your language →

Tool

Chicken Feed Calculator for Laying Hens

Calculate now

Quick answer

Multiply the number of hens by what each one eats per day and by the number of days. NC State Extension puts a laying hen at about 1/3 lb of feed a day. Divide the total by the size of the bag you buy and round up: that is the number of bags. Add the bag price to get the cost.

Written byVeterinário Raiz TeamUpdated on

Enter your number of hens, feed per hen, the period and your bag size. The calculator returns daily feed, the total for the period, the bags to buy and the cost.

Enter the number of hens and the bag size to see how much feed you need.

The math runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent, saved or shared.

Excel tracker for laying hens: daily log, lay rate, feed per hen, cost per dozen and monthly margin in US units.Spreadsheet · $9Chicken Egg Production Tracker (Excel)

How the math works

  1. Feed per day = number of hens × feed per hen (lb).
  2. Feed for the period = feed per day × days.
  3. Bags = feed for the period ÷ bag size, rounded up.
  4. Cost = bags × price per bag.

The default of 0.33 lb per hen comes from Keeping Garden Chickens in North Carolina, from NC State Extension. Heavier breeds and cold weather push intake up; a well-adjusted feeder cuts waste.

Layer feed basics

According to Cooperative Extension’s guide to feeding chickens for egg production, layer diets should have at least 14% protein and usually 2.5% to 3.5% calcium, and hens move to them at about 20 weeks. Starting out? See backyard chickens for beginners and log your weekly feed with the chicken egg production tracker.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a laying hen eat per day?

NC State Extension estimates about 1/3 lb of feed a day per hen while laying, or roughly 5 lb of feed per dozen eggs. Breed, weather and feeder waste move that number, so adjust the field to what you actually see.

Why is bag size a field and not a fixed value?

Brands and stores sell different sizes. Check the label on the feed you buy and type it in; the number of bags is always rounded up.

When should hens switch to layer feed?

Cooperative Extension recommends a layer ration at around 20 weeks of age. Layer mash typically has 2.5% to 3.5% calcium, too much for growing pullets, and at least 14% protein.

Sources

  1. Keeping Garden Chickens in North Carolina (AG-729): about 1/3 lb of feed per hen per day while laying, about 5 lb of feed per dozen eggs, up to 15 dozen eggs in the first laying year, 2.5–3.5 sq ft per bird in the coop plus 4–5 sq ft outdoors, 1 nest per 4–5 hens, 9–10 in of perch per bird↗
  2. Feeding chickens for egg production in small and backyard flocks: layer feed with at least 14% protein and 2.5%–3.5% calcium, switch at about 20 weeks↗

Keep going

See everything on Backyard chickens and quail: coops, hatching and eggsAquarium Volume CalculatorCat food calculator (calories per day)Cattle average daily gain (ADG) calculator and finish date