Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide: Complete Nutrition by Life Stage
What Is the Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide? The Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide is a comprehensive, life-stage-based feeding resource created by Pur
What Is the Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide?
The Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide is a comprehensive, life-stage-based feeding resource created by Purina Animal Nutrition, one of the most trusted names in animal feed for over a century. This free online guide provides detailed nutritional recommendations for backyard chicken flocks at every stage of life, from day-old chicks through pullet development and into full laying hen production. It breaks down exactly what to feed your birds, how much to feed them, and when to transition between feed types to ensure optimal health, growth, and egg production.
Proper nutrition is the single most important factor in raising a healthy, productive flock, yet it is also one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of chicken keeping. Many new keepers do not realize that chickens have dramatically different nutritional requirements at different life stages. Feeding layer feed to baby chicks, for example, can cause serious kidney damage due to excess calcium, while feeding starter feed to laying hens will result in poor egg production and thin shells due to insufficient calcium. The Purina Feed Guide eliminates this confusion with clear, stage-specific recommendations backed by decades of nutritional research.
Beyond basic feed type recommendations, the guide also covers feeding amounts by age and production stage, the importance of grit and oyster shell supplementation, treat limitations, water requirements, and how to recognize signs of nutritional deficiencies. It is written in accessible language that does not require a background in animal science to understand, making it practical for everyday backyard keepers who want to get their feeding program right.
Key Features
- Life-Stage Feeding Recommendations: Complete feeding guidance broken into three main life stages: starter/grower phase for chicks (0-16 weeks), developer phase for pullets (16-18 weeks), and layer phase for producing hens (18+ weeks), each with specific nutritional requirements.
- Feed Amount Guidelines: Recommended daily feed amounts by bird age and size, helping keepers provide appropriate portions without overfeeding or underfeeding their flock.
- Starter Feed Details: Information on chick starter feeds with appropriate protein levels (typically 18-20%) to support healthy growth, feather development, and immune system building during the critical early weeks.
- Layer Feed Details: Guidance on layer feeds with proper calcium levels (typically 3.5-4%) and protein content (typically 16%) to support consistent egg production, strong eggshells, and hen health throughout the laying cycle.
- Transition Timelines: Clear instructions on when and how to transition between feed types, including gradual mixing strategies to avoid digestive upset during feed changes.
- Supplement Guidance: Recommendations for supplemental oyster shell for calcium, grit for digestion, and the role of treats and scratch grains within a balanced diet.
- Purina Product Integration: Specific Purina feed products matched to each life stage with detailed nutritional profiles and feeding instructions.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clear life-stage feeding breakdown | Biased toward Purina brand products |
| Backed by decades of nutritional research | Not an independent or brand-neutral guide |
| Specific amounts by age and stage | Amounts are general guidelines, not exact for every flock |
| Covers supplements and treats guidance | Does not cover organic or alternative feeding methods |
| Written in accessible, beginner-friendly language | Primarily focuses on standard commercial feed approach |
| Free to access with no registration required | Some recommendations assume access to Purina retailers |
Pricing
The Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide is completely free to access online. There are no subscriptions, accounts, or purchase requirements to read and use the guide. The nutritional principles and life-stage recommendations apply regardless of which brand of feed you ultimately choose to purchase. If you do select Purina feeds, a 50-pound bag of Purina Layer Feed typically costs between $18 and $25 depending on your region and local retailer, making it a competitively priced option for quality layer nutrition.
How to Use the Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide
Step 1: Visit the Purina backyard poultry feed section at purinamills.com/chicken-feed to access the complete feed guide and life-stage recommendations.
Step 2: Identify which life stage your birds are currently in. Chicks from hatch to approximately 16 weeks need starter or starter/grower feed. Pullets from 16 to 18 weeks need developer feed. Hens that have begun laying need layer feed with supplemental calcium.
Step 3: Follow the recommended feeding amounts for your flock size and bird age. The guide provides per-bird daily consumption estimates so you can calculate total feed needs and plan your purchasing schedule.
Step 4: When your birds reach a transition age between feed types, follow the guide’s mixing recommendations to gradually shift from one feed to the other over 5 to 7 days to prevent digestive stress.
Step 5: Add supplements as recommended. Provide oyster shell in a separate container for laying hens, ensure appropriate grit is available, and keep fresh clean water accessible at all times alongside the feed program.
Who Should Use This Tool?
The Purina Backyard Poultry Feed Guide is valuable for every backyard chicken keeper, from absolute beginners who just brought home their first batch of chicks to experienced flock owners who want to verify their current feeding program aligns with best practices. New keepers will benefit most from the clear life-stage breakdown that prevents common and potentially harmful feeding mistakes. Keepers transitioning their first flock from chicks to laying hens will find the transition timeline and mixing instructions particularly useful. Even if you use a non-Purina feed brand, the nutritional principles, life-stage timing, and supplementation guidance are universally applicable and represent sound poultry nutrition science.
Recommended Products for Your Flock
- Purina Layer Feed 50lb: A nutritionally complete layer feed formulated specifically for laying hens with proper protein, calcium, vitamin, and mineral levels to support consistent egg production and strong shells. The gold standard for backyard flock nutrition.
- Automatic Chicken Feeder: A gravity-fed or treadle-operated feeder that keeps feed clean, dry, and protected from wild birds and rodents while reducing waste. Saves time on daily feeding chores and ensures your flock always has access to fresh feed.
- Chicken Waterer 5 Gallon: A high-capacity poultry waterer that provides consistent access to fresh water for medium to large flocks. Easy to fill and clean, with a design that prevents contamination from bedding and droppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this guide if I feed a brand other than Purina?
Absolutely. While the guide features Purina products, the underlying nutritional principles are based on established poultry science that applies to any quality feed brand. The life-stage timing, protein and calcium requirements, transition schedules, and supplementation recommendations are universal and will help you select the correct feed type from any manufacturer.
When should I switch my chicks from starter to layer feed?
You should not switch directly from starter to layer feed. Most guides recommend transitioning chicks from starter feed to a grower or developer feed around 16 weeks, then switching to layer feed at approximately 18 to 20 weeks when hens begin laying. Switching to layer feed too early can damage young kidneys due to the high calcium content.
How much feed does a laying hen eat per day?
The average standard-size laying hen consumes approximately 1/4 to 1/3 pound of feed per day, or roughly 3 to 4 ounces. Actual consumption varies based on breed size, production level, weather conditions, forage availability, and treat intake. Monitor your flock’s consumption and adjust accordingly.
Do my chickens need supplemental calcium?
Laying hens fed a complete layer feed typically receive adequate calcium from the feed itself. However, many keepers provide supplemental oyster shell in a separate free-choice container so hens can self-regulate their calcium intake, particularly during peak production periods when calcium demands are highest for eggshell formation.
Is the Purina Feed Guide available as a printed resource?
The primary guide is available online through the Purina Mills website. Some Purina retailers may carry printed brochures or feeding charts. You can also print the relevant pages from the website for easy reference in your coop or feed storage area.