Best Chicken Feeds for Egg Layers: Feed for Consistent Eggs

Inside: Find the best feed for egg layers to boost egg production, improve shell strength, and keep your hens healthy year-round.

If your hens aren’t laying as well as you expected—or you just want to improve egg quality—your feed is the first place to look. Choosing the best feed for egg layers can make a huge difference in egg production, shell strength, and overall flock health. Whether you’re buying commercial feed or mixing your own, understanding what laying hens actually need will help you get the best results.

chickens eating feed from a feeder with Best Chicken Feeds for Egg Layers What to Feed text overlay

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Let’s break it all down in a simple, practical way. First, there is no such thing as a free egg. Free-loaders, yes. It costs to feed your hens if you want healthy hens that lay eggs.

As homesteaders, sometimes we like to try and cut costs where we can, but feed isn't the place I look to cut costs. I want eggs every day. I want healthy hens.

Table of Contents

What Is the Best Feed for Egg Layers?

The best chicken feed for egg layers is one that’s specifically formulated with the right balance of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals to support consistent egg production. Any feed store is going to carry this.

Look for:

16–18% protein
High calcium (around 4%)
Balanced vitamins and minerals

This is typically labeled as layer feed for chickens, and it comes in:

Pellets – I like pellets because there seems to be less waste with them.
Crumbles
Mash

For most backyard flocks, a quality commercial layer feed is the easiest and most reliable option. It's what I use and all I plan to use, mixing up my own feed is just something else I don't need to do.

Do Chickens Need Layer Feed to Lay Eggs?

Technically, no—chickens will still lay eggs without layer feed.

BUT…

If you’re not using a proper feed for egg layers, you may notice:

Thin or weak eggshells – yes this can happen with older or new layers
Lower egg production – this also happens with older layers
Nutritional deficiencies over time

Layer feed is designed specifically for hens that are actively laying, so while it’s not required, it’s definitely the best feed for layers to produce eggs consistently and safely.

What to Feed Chickens for Best Eggs

If your goal is strong shells, vibrant yolks, and steady production, here’s what your hens need daily:

Layer Feed (Main Diet): This should make up about 90% of their diet.

Calcium Supplements: Even with layer feed, extra calcium is a good idea.

Options:

Crushed oyster shells – this can be bought at feed stores as well.
Crushed eggshells – Your eggshells are great for this. Save your shells, bake (around 200°F) for 10-20 minutes, dry them out, making them easier to crush, and kill potential bacteria.

Always offer this free choice, not mixed into feed.

Fresh Water: It sounds obvious, but even a short drop in water intake can reduce egg production fast.

Layer Chicken Feed Consumption Per Day

On average, a laying hen will eat:

About 1/2 to 3/4 cup daily – great information if you are thinking about soaking your chicken's feed.

This can vary depending on:

Breed – bigger = more, smaller = less
Weather (more in winter)
Free-ranging vs confined – free-range can eat a lot more insects, and plants
Whether or not you feed scraps. Please remember that kitchen scraps should always be fed after they have eaten their feed

Keeping an eye on consumption helps you spot health or nutrition issues early.

Best Chicken Feed for Laying Hens in Winter

Winter is when a lot of people struggle with egg production. Remember, they need a break too. We tend to get more eggs from the silkies during the winter because they are more broody in the summer months and do not lay eggs as often.

The best chicken feed for laying hens in winter should:

Maintain protein levels (16–18%)
Include extra calories for warmth
Be paired with occasional high-energy treats

Helpful winter additions:

Scratch grains – another option that I buy and my chickens LOVE is BOC (Barley, Oats, Corn) it has malasses in it as well and is supposed to ferment in their gut and keep them warm. I just know they love it as a treat in the afternoon.
Black oil sunflower seeds
Warm mash on very cold days – add some sunflower seeds in for a treat

Just don’t overdo treats—they should never replace a balanced layer chicken feed.

Homemade Chicken Feed for Laying Hens

If you prefer a more natural approach, you can mix your own homemade chicken feed for egg layers.

Basic Homemade Feed Mix

A simple, balanced mix might include:

Whole grains (corn, wheat, oats)
Protein source (peas, lentils, fish meal)
Calcium source (oyster shell)
Mineral supplement

Pros:

Full control over ingredients
Can be more cost-effective (depending on sourcing)
Great for organic homesteads

Cons:

Easy to get the balance wrong
Requires careful planning
May need added supplements

If you go this route, make sure you're still meeting the nutritional needs of a proper best chicken feed mix for laying eggs.

Best Homemade Chicken Feed for Egg Layers (Tips)

To improve your homemade mix:

Aim for 16–18% protein
Always include a calcium source
Add kelp or mineral mix for trace nutrients
Rotate grains when possible

Consistency matters just as much as ingredients.

What Chickens Are Best for Egg Laying?

The best egg layers tend to be:

Hardy in your climate
Consistent producers
Efficient feed converters

For homesteaders, dual-purpose breeds are often a great balance of eggs and meat.

Best Chicken Layer Feed for Laying Eggs (Quick Checklist)

When choosing a feed, look for:

16–18% protein
Around 4% calcium
Fresh, high-quality ingredients
Form your chickens prefer (pellets, crumble, or mash)

Avoid:

Moldy or stale feed
Feeds not labeled for laying hens
Over-reliance on treats

At the end of the day, the best feed for egg layers is one that consistently meets your hens’ nutritional needs.

For most people, that means:

A high-quality commercial layer feed
Free-choice calcium
Fresh water at all times

If you want to go a step further, adding homemade elements or supplements can boost egg quality—but balance is key.

Healthy hens = better eggs. It really is that simple.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Chicken Feed for Layers

What is the best feed for egg layers? The best feed for egg layers is a layer feed with 16–18% protein and high calcium to support egg production and strong shells.

Can I make homemade feed for laying hens? Yes, you can make homemade feed for laying hens using grains, protein sources, and calcium, but it must be properly balanced.

How often should I feed laying hens? Laying hens should have constant access to feed throughout the day to support steady egg production.

What increases egg production in chickens? Consistent nutrition, high-quality layer feed, fresh water, proper lighting, and low stress all help increase egg production.

Do laying hens need extra calcium? Yes, laying hens need extra calcium, often provided through oyster shells, to produce strong eggshells.