Homemade Chicken Feed Recipe for Laying Hens | Balanced DIY Mixes

A layer hen’s body works hard every day to produce an egg, and the feed you provide is the raw material for that job. Commercial layer rations work well, but mixing your own gives you control over ingredients, quality, and cost. Backyard flocks in the US thrive on well-planned homemade mixes, and three reliable formulas below cover most situations—from high-protein needs to corn-free options.

What A Laying Hen’s Diet Actually Requires

Layer hens need significantly more calcium than other poultry because eggshell production draws heavily on their reserves. The official standard: 16-18% crude protein, 3-4% calcium, and a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 4:1 to 7:1. Ratios below 4:1 lead to thin shells or shell-less eggs over time. Pullets should stay on an 18%+ starter diet until 6-8 weeks old, then transition to layer feed starting at 18 weeks of age. Peak lay arrives around 32 weeks, and hens produce best when feed is available at all times. Restricted feeding cuts egg count noticeably.

Three Homemade Chicken Feed Recipes That Work

Each recipe below is designed for a typical backyard flock. Mix thoroughly so every scoop delivers consistent nutrition. The average hen eats about ¼ to ⅓ pound (100-105 grams) per day, so a 50-pound batch feeds roughly 3-5 hens for two to three weeks.

Recipe A: High-Protein Whole Grain Mix (17.5% Protein)

This protein-dense mix uses split peas and hard red wheat to hit higher protein levels for heavy layers. Combine by volume: 19 cups split peas, 14 cups hard red wheat, 12 cups barley, 10 cups millet, 8 cups oats, ½ cup kelp, ½ cup garlic powder, ½ cup food-grade diatomaceous earth. Feed ¼ pound (about ½ cup) per hen daily and offer black oil sunflower seeds as an occasional boost. The whole grains require chicken grit for proper digestion—without it, hens cannot break down the kernels fully.

Recipe B: Standard Balanced Formula (16-17% Protein)

For most backyard flocks, this corn-based mix is simple and reliable. Mix by percentage: 30% corn, 30% wheat, 20% peas, 10% oats, 10% fish meal, and 2% poultry Nutri-Balancer (a commercial mineral and vitamin supplement available at feed stores). Provide kelp and aragonite as free-choice calcium sources so hens self-regulate their intake. This formula is the easiest to source ingredients for and matches what many small operations use in the US.

Recipe C: Corn & Soy-Free Mix (16.4% Protein)

Some flocks do better without corn or soy, and this formula fills that gap. Combine by parts: 3 parts wheat, 3 parts oats, 2 parts dried distiller grain (DDG), and 2 parts black oil sunflower seeds. Crushed oyster shells must be offered free-choice to meet calcium needs, and chicken grit is required for whole-grain digestion. This mix produces slightly lower protein than Recipe A, so watch shell quality and supplement with extra oyster shells if needed.

If you are deciding between brands and ready-made options rather than mixing your own, our tested roundup of chicken feed for laying hens covers the top commercial choices with real feeding results so you can compare easily.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Production

Even a good recipe fails if these errors creep in. Feeding corn as the sole grain is the most frequent misstep—corn alone lacks the protein and calcium balance layers need. Formulas below 16% protein will reduce egg count within two weeks. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio must stay between 4:1 and 7:1; a 2:1 ratio found in many other animal feeds will produce thin shells. Hens receiving whole grains must have access to chicken grit, or digestible nutrients pass through unabsorbed. Also avoid feeding raw potato peels, green tomatoes, and avocado, all of which can harm chickens. Eggs (shells included) can be fed back to hens as a calcium source when crushed.