Short answer: pick Agway chicken feed by your flock’s age and purpose, not by the brand on the bag. Chicks need starter, growing pullets need grower, laying hens need layer feed with calcium, and mixed flocks can use an all-flock feed with oyster shell on the side. Product lines and availability differ by region and store, so always read the tag.
Match the feed to the bird
- Chick starter (0 to about 8 weeks): roughly 18 to 20 percent protein. Medicated starter helps prevent coccidiosis, but do not feed medicated starter if your chicks were vaccinated for it.
- Grower or developer (about 8 to 18 weeks): lower protein, around 16 to 18 percent, with less calcium.
- Layer feed (from the start of laying): around 16 percent protein with about 3.5 to 4 percent calcium for strong eggshells.
- All-flock or flock raiser: useful when you keep chicks, hens and roosters together. Offer oyster shell in a separate dish for laying hens.
- Meat birds: need a higher-protein broiler diet.
Feed forms
Crumbles suit most backyard flocks, pellets waste less, and mash is the finest. Scratch grains are a treat, not a main feed. Keep treats to about 10 percent of the diet.
Organic, non-GMO and soy-free labels
These labels describe how ingredients were grown or sourced. They can matter to you, but they do not guarantee a better nutrient balance. Check that the feed is complete for your birds’ life stage and compare the protein percentage and price per pound.
Reading the tag
- Confirm the life stage (starter, grower, layer).
- Check the crude protein and calcium minimums.
- Look at the date or lot so the feed is fresh.
- Note any medication, and do not feed medicated feed to laying hens unless the label allows it.
Storage
Keep feed in a sealed, dry container. Damp or moldy feed can cause serious illness, so throw it out if it smells off or clumps.
Related reading
See Rural King chicken feed, pellet vs crumble chicken feed and what to feed an underweight chicken.
For sick birds or unusual losses, contact a poultry veterinarian or your state extension service.
Bottom Line
Choose the right feed for your birds’ age, read the tag for protein and calcium, and store it dry. If you are unsure about a specific Agway product, ask the store staff or your poultry vet.
