Your hens and nutrition

We know you want to give your hens the very best, and rightly so. Here we’ve put some of your top questions around hen nutrition to the expert team at Allen & Page, producers of Small Holder Feed.

I would like to know which feeds are the most appropriate to keep both hens and cockerels healthy at the same time please?

Some people worry that layers pellets, which are made to support egg production, have too much calcium for cockerels which they do not need.

To keep things straightforward usually a layers pellet is fed, as problems with excess calcium in cockerels are rare. Free-ranging cockerels especially benefit from their natural diet, which helps prevent them from eating too much layers pellet and “balances out” the excess calcium.

Alternatively, you can give both a growers pellet. This avoids too much calcium and provides a balanced diet. To make sure hens get enough calcium for eggs, you must offer oyster shell grit alongside flint grit which breaks down in the crop and provides calcium for egg production. Just remember that if cockerels also eat the oyster shell, they might get more calcium than they need. Unfortunately, grower feed does not contain ingredients which produce nicely coloured, rich tasting egg yolks.

Ideally, keep hens and cockerels separate on their specific feeds and just mix them when the cockerels need to be introduced.

We had a feed mix at one stage that was labelled as a complete mix for laying hens. How do you feel these compare to the processed mixtures like layers pellets?

There is not much difference in ingredients between a complete mix and a layer pellet. Both provide protein, carbohydrates, fats/ oils (including omega-3), and fibre. The main difference is how they are processed, which changes how they look. Both types are balanced with added vitamins and minerals.

Chickens can be picky and may only eat their favourite parts of a mix, which leads to waste and an unbalanced diet. Pellets combine all the ingredients, so every bite is the same and there is less waste. Pellets are also easier for chickens to eat because they are all the same size. When switching feeds, change gradually over 7-10 days to avoid upsetting their digestion.

The one that always gets mixed answers. Can we feed mealworms?

Live mealworms approved by DEFRA are a safe, high-protein treat and provide enrichment for chickens that have limited access to insects in their environment. They contain important nutrients and encourage natural foraging. If your chickens are free-ranging and eating a balanced diet, they may not need extra mealworms, as this could add too many calories.

Always feed mealworms in moderation alongside their balanced diet.

It is illegal to feed dried mealworms to hens under Defra regulations, to avoid the risk of contamination or disease due to how the worms were commercially produced.

What is the best feed to help eggshells and put weight on?

The key is to make sure your chicken gets a balanced diet, along with what they find while free ranging. If you feed extra high-fat or oily foods to help an underweight hen gain weight, be careful not to upset the balance of their diet

Layers pellets give hens the calcium, protein, and energy they need for healthy eggs, good weight, and overall condition. They are also fully balanced with vitamins and minerals.

If your hen is eating her usual amount of layers pellets but still losing weight, check with your vet to rule out health problems or parasites. If she needs extra help, you can offer a high-protein or high-carb treat for more calories, but only after she has eaten her pellets. Treats should be given in moderation to keep the diet balanced.

Could you explain more about crushed oyster shells and adding herbs to feed?

Crushed oyster shell is a good source of extra calcium and is easy for chickens to eat. It dissolves in their system and helps them build strong eggshells, but it should be given along with flint grit, not instead of it. When picked up by the chicken the flint grit (which does not dissolve) is stored in the gizzard to act as tiny millstones which help to break down their food, so they get the most nutrition from it. If your chickens eat a balanced layers pellet and are laying strong eggs, you probably do not need to add oyster shell. But if you have a mixed flock and feed grower’s pellets to avoid giving too much calcium to cockerels, then hens should have access to oyster shell for healthy eggs. Always make sure chickens have the right size grit and plenty of clean water.

Herbs are part of nature’s pharmacy with so many being a natural source of vitamins and minerals, as well having specific historic benefits for many things, such as immune support, digestive or respiratory health and parasite prevention. Layers pellets usually have some herbs in them, but only in small amounts. You can add more herbs if you want to give extra support, especially for a specific reason. Add any new foods slowly, but both fresh and dried herbs can be mixed with their pellets. Fresh herbs would also provide a source of enrichment when supplied in bunches and hung or scattered around a run or outside area.

What is the optimal protein level? Should there be a supplement during a moult or winter?

For free-range hens, a layers pellet with about 16% protein is usually enough, even in winter. Egg production often drops when days get shorter, but this is normal and not a sign of poor nutrition. During a moult, hens need more protein to grow new feathers, so they may lay fewer or no eggs. If your chickens are outside less and finding fewer insects, you can offer extra protein treats to help. Just be careful not to give too much of any one thing, as this can upset their diet. Extra protein will help with feather growth, but it will not make them start laying eggs again any faster.