Feeding & Nutrition

What’s the best thing to put in the bottom of a chicken run? I asked myself this question desperately during my first rainy season with chickens, watching my run transform into a foul-smelling mud pit that swallowed my boots with every step. My chickens stood on their roosts all day, refusing to touch the ground. … Read more

Where to store chicken feed might seem like a simple question, but getting it wrong cost me an entire 50-pound bag of layer pellets in my first year of chicken keeping. I had stored it in my laundry room for convenience, thinking the indoor location would be sufficient protection. Within three weeks, the humidity from … Read more

Should chickens have feed all the time? This was the question I asked myself after noticing two of my lower-ranking hens were losing weight while the dominant birds in my flock seemed perfectly healthy. I had been feeding twice daily, convinced I was doing things correctly. The answer changed how I approach feeding entirely. The … Read more

When I first started keeping chickens six years ago in a tropical climate, I made nearly every feeding mistake possible. I gave my flock too much scratch grain, not enough calcium, and had no idea that some common kitchen scraps could actually harm them. Here’s what would have saved my first two hens: understanding exactly … Read more

Raising backyard chickens is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can have. Walking out to your coop for fresh eggs never gets old. However, just like any pet or livestock, chickens need to eat. If you are new to this or looking to budget better, avoiding common beginner mistakes can save you money from day one. … Read more

Choosing the right organic chicken starter feed can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at a wall of options at the feed store. The bags all look similar, the prices vary wildly, and every label claims to be the “best.” When my first batch of chicks arrived, I had no idea how much the feed would … Read more

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product recommendations are based on my personal experience raising backyard chickens. Last Updated: January 2026 – Added expert timing variations, expanded feed storage and rodent-proofing section with treadle feeders and hardware cloth specifications, updated transition schedules … Read more

As a backyard chicken keeper who has battled through eight harsh winters in the Midwest, I’ve watched my flock approach the first snowfall of the year with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. I remember looking out the window during the polar vortex of 2024, watching my Rhode Island Red hen, Penny, pecking enthusiastically at … Read more

⚠️ VETERINARY CONSULTATION REQUIRED: Before changing your flock’s feeding routine, consult with an avian veterinarian familiar with your birds’ specific needs and health status. Raising backyard chickens in cold climates presents a dilemma. For years, many homesteaders have relied on warm oatmeal to provide comfort to their flocks during freezing winters. However, treating chickens requires … Read more

When temperatures drop below freezing and your backyard chickens huddle together in their coop, you might wonder what to feed chickens in winter to help them stay warm and healthy. After raising mixed-breed flocks for 12 years—first battling -20°F wind chills in Iowa and now managing high-altitude cold in Colorado—I’ve learned through trial and error … Read more