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Chicken Feed Ration Calculator – Online Layer, Broiler, Chick

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Chicken Feed Ration Calculator

Calculate daily feed requirements for Layers, Broilers & Chicks — with nutrition breakdown & cost estimates.

Layer Egg Production
Broiler Meat Production
Chick Growing / Pullet
5.75
kg / day
Daily Feed
40.25
kg / week
Weekly Feed
172.5
kg / month
Monthly Feed
$2.88
per day
Est. Daily Cost
Nutrition Breakdown (per bird per day)
Protein 19.0 g
16.5%
Calcium 4.4 g
3.8%
Energy 316 kcal
2750 kcal/kg
Phosphorus 0.7 g
0.6%
Total daily intake per bird: 115 g
Key Insight

Feed-to-Egg ratio: ~2.1 kg feed per 1 kg of eggs. Peak layers need 3.8–4% calcium for strong shells.

Estimated FCR: 2.0 – 2.3

Frequently Asked Questions

An adult layer hen typically consumes 100–120 grams of feed per day, depending on breed, age, egg production rate, and environmental temperature. During peak production (30–50 weeks), intake is at its highest. High-producing hybrids like Hy-Line or Lohmann Browns may eat slightly more. Always ensure constant access to clean water, as water intake directly affects feed consumption.

Layer feed contains higher calcium (3.5–4.5%) for eggshell formation and moderate protein (16–18%). Broiler feed is energy-dense with higher protein (19–24%) to support rapid muscle growth, and lower calcium since strong bones aren't the priority. Broiler feed also has a higher metabolizable energy content (3000–3200 kcal/kg vs 2700–2900 for layers) to maximize weight gain in a short 6–8 week grow-out period. Using the wrong feed type can lead to health issues, poor productivity, or even mortality.
Multiply the daily feed per bird (in kg) × number of birds × price per kg of feed. For example: 0.115 kg × 100 layers × $0.50/kg = $5.75/day. This calculator does this automatically. For accurate budgeting, also factor in feed wastage (typically 3–8%), transport costs, and seasonal price fluctuations. Buying in bulk (ton bags or silo deliveries) often reduces per-kg costs by 10–20%.

Chicks require 18–22% crude protein in their starter feed (0–6 weeks). This high protein level supports rapid feather development, organ growth, and skeletal formation. As pullets grow (6–18 weeks), protein can be reduced to 15–17%. Switching too early to low-protein feed stunts growth and delays the onset of lay. Always use a properly formulated chick starter crumble for the first 6 weeks — never feed adult layer ration to baby chicks.

Modern broiler breeds achieve an FCR of 1.5–1.8, meaning 1.5–1.8 kg of feed produces 1 kg of live body weight. Exceptional management can push FCR below 1.5. For context: in the 1950s, FCR was around 3.0. Improvements come from genetics, better nutrition, and controlled environment housing. Monitoring FCR closely helps identify feed quality issues, disease outbreaks, or suboptimal housing conditions early.

A single eggshell contains about 2 grams of calcium. Layers mobilize calcium from both their diet and medullary bone reserves daily. Insufficient dietary calcium (<3.5%) leads to thin-shelled eggs, shell-less eggs, increased breakage, and eventually bone weakness or cage-layer fatigue. Providing oyster shell or limestone grit as a free-choice supplement, alongside a balanced layer ration (3.8–4.5% Ca), ensures optimal shell quality throughout the production cycle.

No. Feeding a one-size-fits-all ration is a common mistake. Chicks need high protein for growth; layers need high calcium for eggs; broilers need energy-dense formulations for meat. Feeding layer ration to chicks can cause kidney damage from excess calcium. Feeding broiler finisher to layers reduces egg production. Always match the feed to the bird's life stage and purpose. If you keep a mixed-age flock, consider feeding a grower ration (16% protein, moderate calcium) and supplement layers with oyster shell on the side.
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