Feed & Nutrition
What to feed, how much it costs, and which kitchen scraps are actually safe.
Last reviewed August 2026 · How we source our numbers
Feed is the largest running cost of a flock and the easiest place to accidentally do harm — most of the damage comes from treats displacing balanced feed rather than from anything toxic. These tools cover the arithmetic (bags per month, protein targets, what fermenting saves) and the food directory covers the question everyone actually types: can they eat this?
Calculators (6)
- Feed Cost CalculatorBags per month and the yearly bill for a given flock.Open tool →
- Feed Chart by AgeStarter to grower to layer, and when each transition happens.Open tool →
- Treat CalculatorThe 90/10 rule, in ounces, for a flock your size.Open tool →
- Pearson Square CalculatorBlending two feeds to a protein target — with the diagram.Open tool →
- Fermented Feed CalculatorBatch sizes and what fermenting actually saves.Open tool →
- Water CalculatorDaily water for a flock, which rises sharply in heat.Open tool →
Guides
- What Can Chickens Eat? (91 foods)A sourced verdict per food, from safe to genuinely toxic.Read guide →
- What Can Ducks Eat?The same treatment for ducks, whose needs differ from chickens.Read guide →
- Plants Toxic to ChickensGarden plants ranked by severity — what to fence off before free-ranging.Read guide →