Is Expensive Chicken Feed Really Worth It?

Walk into almost any feed store in Utah and you’ll find chicken feed ranging from inexpensive conventional pellets to premium organic blends.

But does spending more money necessarily mean healthier chickens?

Not necessarily. When choosing chicken feed, here are three things to pay attention to:

🥚 Protein and life stage

Most laying hens do well on a complete layer ration containing approximately 16–18% protein. Growing chicks and young birds have different requirements, so choose feed formulated for the birds you’re feeding.

🌽 Nutritional balance

Chickens need more than protein. A properly formulated feed should provide the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and energy needed for their life stage.

🌿 Freshness and storage

Even premium feed can become problematic if it’s stored improperly. Moisture can encourage mold growth, and old feed can lose nutritional quality.

The takeaway: Don’t choose feed based solely on price or marketing claims. Choose a complete, balanced feed designed for your flock, and keep it fresh and dry.