Choosing the right feed
for juvenile chickens
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Feeding Juvenile Chickens: What to Feed Young Chickens by Age
Feeding juvenile chickens properly is an important part of raising a healthy backyard flock. As chicks grow into juvenile chickens, also called pullets when they are young females, their nutritional needs change. Providing the right chicken feed at each stage helps support healthy growth, strong bones and feathers, and a smooth transition to egg production.
So, what should you feed juvenile chickens? The answer depends on their age. Young chickens generally move from chick starter to a grower or developer feed before transitioning to a layer feed when they approach egg production. Choosing an age-appropriate, complete feed ensures your growing birds receive the balanced nutrition they need.
Chicken Age |
Recommended Feed |
Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 / 8 weeks | Chick starter | Early growth and development |
| 6 to 18 weeks | Grower/developer feed | Healthy growth of juvenile chickens |
| ~18+ weeks / laying | Layer feed | Egg production and eggshell support |
What Is a Juvenile Chicken?
A juvenile chicken is a young bird that has moved beyond the earliest chick stage but has not yet reached adulthood. Young female chickens are commonly called pullets.
For most backyard flocks, the juvenile or pullet stage is especially important because the birds are rapidly developing muscle, bones, feathers and reproductive systems. Their feed should support steady growth without providing unnecessary levels of nutrients intended for laying hens.
What Do Juvenile Chickens Eat?
Juvenile chickens should generally eat a complete grower or developer feed formulated for their stage of growth. These feeds provide the appropriate balance of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals for growing birds.
A typical feeding program looks like this:
- 0–6 to 8 weeks: Chick starter
- About 6–18 weeks: Grower or developer feed
- Around 18 weeks and older: Layer feed when birds are approaching or beginning egg production
Exact feeding recommendations can vary by breed, flock type and the feed manufacturer’s formulation, so always follow the feeding directions on the specific product.
Chicken Feed by Age
0–6 Weeks: Chick Starter
Newly hatched chicks need a complete chick starter feed formulated for rapid early growth. Starter feed typically provides more protein than feeds intended for older birds because chicks are developing rapidly during this stage. Fresh, clean water should always be available alongside the feed.
🔹We Recommend: Ace Hi Chick Starter Mash or Kelley’s Chick Starter Mash
6–18 Weeks: Grower Feed for Juvenile Chickens
Once chicks move beyond the earliest growth stage, they can transition to a complete grower or developer feed. This is the primary feeding stage for juvenile chickens and pullets.
Grower feed is designed to provide the nutrition growing birds need without the elevated calcium levels found in layer feed.
If you’re wondering what to feed chickens at 8 weeks, what to feed chickens at 12 weeks, or what to feed chickens at 16 weeks, a complete grower or developer ration is generally the appropriate choice for pullets that are not yet laying.
🔹We Recommend: Ace Hi Grow Mash, Ace Hi Quick-Gro Crumbles, Kelley;s Grow Mash, or Kelley’s Starter/Grow Crumbles
Around 18 Weeks and Older: Layer Feed
As pullets approach sexual maturity and begin producing eggs, their nutritional requirements change. This is when they can transition to a complete layer feed formulated with additional calcium for eggshell production.
The timing can vary by flock. Many feeding programs recommend transitioning around 18 weeks or when birds begin laying, depending on the feed manufacturer’s recommendations.
🔹We Recommend: Ace Hi Big Feeder Lay Crumbles, Ace Hi Big Feeder Lay Mash, Ace Hi Big Feeder Lay Pellets or Kelley’s All Purpose Lay Crumble, Kelley’s All Purpose Lay Mash, Kelley’s All Purpose Lay Pellets
Why Shouldn’t Young Chickens Eat Layer Feed?
One of the most important parts of feeding juvenile chickens is knowing when not to feed layer feed.
Layer feed contains substantially more calcium than feeds formulated for growing birds because laying hens need calcium to produce eggshells. Young chickens that are not yet laying do not have the same calcium requirement.
University of Florida Extension recommends keeping pullets on an age-appropriate starter or grower diet until approximately 18 weeks and avoiding layer feed for birds younger than 18 weeks.
For this reason, don’t switch juvenile chickens to layer feed simply because they are getting older. Follow the feeding instructions for your feed and consider the birds’ stage of development.
When Should You Switch From Grower to Layer Feed?
A common question from backyard chicken keepers is, “When should I switch my chickens from grower feed to layer feed?”
For many flocks, the transition occurs around 18 weeks of age or when the pullets begin laying eggs. Some birds may mature earlier or later depending on breed, genetics, season and other factors. The important thing is to avoid switching too early simply because you are expecting eggs soon.
If your birds are already laying, their nutritional needs have changed and a complete layer ration can provide the additional calcium and other nutrients needed to support egg production.
What About Treats and Scratch Grains?
Treats can be a fun addition to a backyard chicken’s diet, but they should not replace a complete, balanced feed.
Too many treats, kitchen scraps or scratch grains can dilute the nutrients provided by the primary feed. Growing chickens especially need a consistent supply of the nutrients required for proper development.
Keep treats limited and make a complete poultry feed the foundation of your flock’s diet.
Do Juvenile Chickens Need Grit?
Grit and calcium supplements serve different purposes.
Grit consists of small, hard particles that help chickens physically grind certain foods in their gizzard. Calcium supplements, such as oyster shell, provide calcium that can be absorbed and used by the body.
Birds eating a complete commercial feed may have little need for supplemental grit, while chickens consuming larger amounts of forage or other less-digestible foods may benefit from access to appropriate grit.
Once pullets are laying, calcium such as crushed oyster shell can be offered separately and free-choice when appropriate.
Feeding Juvenile Chickens in a Mixed-Age Flock
Feeding a flock with chicks, juvenile chickens and adult laying hens can be challenging because birds at different ages have different nutritional requirements.
If you have a mixed-age flock, consider using a complete all-purpose or all-flock feed formulated for multiple types of birds, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Laying hens can be offered calcium separately when needed.
This can help prevent young birds from consuming a high-calcium layer ration before they are ready for it.
Tips for Feeding Young Chickens
Keep these basic feeding practices in mind as your chickens grow:
- Provide a complete feed appropriate for your birds’ age and purpose.
- Keep fresh, clean water available at all times.
- Follow the feeding directions on your feed label.
- Keep treats and supplemental grains limited.
- Keep feeders clean and protected from moisture.
- Store poultry feed in a cool, dry place protected from pests.
- Monitor your chickens’ growth, body condition and overall health.
- Transition between feeds gradually when recommended by the feed manufacturer.
Feeding Juvenile Chickens: The Bottom Line
The key to feeding juvenile chickens is matching their diet to their stage of growth. Chicks need starter feed, growing pullets generally need a complete grower or developer feed, and hens approaching or beginning egg production need a layer ration formulated to provide additional calcium.
Choosing the right feed at the right time gives your flock the balanced nutrition it needs for healthy development and productive adult hens.
Star Milling offers poultry feeds formulated for different stages of a chicken’s life. Explore our poultry products to find an option that fits your flock.