How Much Chicken Feed Do You Actually Need? (A Backyard Guide)

One of the most common questions backyard chicken owners ask is:
“How much chicken feed do I really need?”

The answer depends on a few key factors — flock size, age, and how much your chickens free-range — but there are simple guidelines that make planning easy and help you avoid running out of feed.

🐔 A Simple Rule of Thumb

For full-grown laying hens, a helpful general guideline is:

One 50-lb bag of feed will typically last three adult hens about one month.

This estimate assumes:

• Chickens are primarily eating commercial feed

• Limited free-ranging

• Feed is not being wasted

From there, you can adjust based on your flock’s situation.

🧮 Feed Needs by Flock Size (Monthly Estimate)

Using the guideline above:

• 3 hens → ~1 bag (50 lbs) per month

• 6 hens → ~2 bags per month

• 9 hens → ~3 bags per month

This gives you a solid starting point when ordering feed or setting up a subscription.

🌿 How Free-Ranging Affects Feed Consumption

Free-ranging can reduce how much commercial feed your chickens eat — but it doesn’t replace it entirely.

Chickens that free-range often get:

• Bugs and insects

• Seeds and greens

• Kitchen scraps (in moderation)

However, they still need a balanced layer feed to meet nutritional requirements.

General adjustments:

• Limited free-range → follow the standard guideline

• Daily, extended free-range → feed usage may drop slightly

• Seasonal free-range → consumption fluctuates throughout the year

Feed should always be available, even for free-ranging birds.

🐣 What About Chicks and Growing Birds?

Chicks and pullets eat less per bird but grow quickly, so usage can still add up.

• Chicks consume small amounts but eat frequently

• Growers increase intake steadily as they approach laying age

Starter and grower feed is typically purchased in smaller quantities, but you may go through it faster than expected during growth spurts.

🌡️ Seasonal Changes That Affect Feed Needs

Feed consumption isn’t the same year-round.

Summer

• Chickens may eat slightly less due to heat

• Water consumption increases significantly

Fall & Winter

• Chickens often eat more to maintain body heat

• Laying may slow, but appetite often increases

Planning ahead during colder months helps prevent shortages.

🧺 Reducing Feed Waste (This Matters More Than You Think)

Feed waste is one of the biggest reasons people underestimate how much they need.

To reduce waste:

• Use a properly sized feeder

• Elevate feeders off the ground

• Keep feed dry and protected from rodents

• Only offer treats in moderation

Less waste means more predictable feed usage — and healthier chickens.

🔁 Why Subscriptions Make Feed Planning Easier

Running out of feed is one of the most stressful moments for chicken owners.

Setting up a feed subscription helps:

• Ensure consistent nutrition

• Eliminate last-minute store runs

• Save time and planning effort

Many CityChick customers choose subscriptions so feed arrives on a regular schedule based on their flock size and habits.

📊 Quick Chicken Feed Calculation Table

Use the table below as a general monthly guideline for full-grown laying hens:

Note: These estimates assume limited free-ranging and minimal feed waste.
Chickens that free-range daily may use slightly less feed, while confined flocks or winter feeding may increase usage.