How many times per day should a chicken be fed in the chicken coops?

Raising chickens is neither particularly difficult nor entirely simple. Many people simply buy chickens, spread some corn in the coop, and consider their job done—but the result is often either underweight chickens, overweight ones that fail to lay eggs, or even chickens that develop health problems. In reality, feeding chickens is like raising children: you cannot let them eat whatever they want, nor starve them. So how many times a day should you feed them, and how much should each feeding be? Below, I'll explain it thoroughly; I guarantee you'll understand after listening.

First, remember a general formula: Regardless of the breed, adult chickens require a daily feed intake of approximately 3% to 5% of their body weight. For example, a 1.5-kilogram hen needs 45 to 75 grams of feed per day. Laying hens require more energy and should be fed at 4% to 5%; non-laying hens or broilers should be fed at 3% to 4%. However, this is only a starting point—the actual feed amount should be determined based on the chicken's response.

Egg-laying hens: Feed twice a day, with the evening meal being the most important. If you are raising laying hens, the golden feeding rule is: feed twice daily—one-third in the morning and two-thirds in the evening. Around 7–8 a.m., when the hens have just woken up and their appetite is generally low, providing 30–40 grams of complete feed is sufficient. By 4–5 p.m., as the hens prepare to spend the night in the coop and begin forming eggshells, they require substantial energy and calcium; thus, increase the feed amount to 70–80 grams. Additionally, always place a separate box of crushed shells or stone powder nearby for them to peck at for calcium supplementation—this approach is more scientific than mixing calcium directly into the feed, as hens only consume it when needed.

Why should eggs be fed more frequently in the evening? This is because the majority of the eggshell is formed during nighttime. If calcium deficiency occurs at night, the following day you will observe that the eggshell becomes thinner or even soft-shelled. Approximately 60% of the calcium consumed daily by a laying hen is directly converted into the eggshell. Therefore, the evening feeding session serves as a critical period for "building materials" accumulation for the eggshell formation.

Chickens: Feed them small, frequent meals—four to five times a day. During the first three weeks after hatching, their stomachs are only about the size of a peanut, allowing them to eat only a few bites at a time, yet their metabolism is astonishingly fast—they feel hungry every three to four hours. Therefore, feed them four to six times daily, every three hours. For the first three days, spread the feed on cardboard so they can access it easily; after one week, switch to shallow bowls and feed them five times a day; after two weeks, reduce to four feedings; by six weeks of age, increase to two to three feedings per day. Remember: never let chicks go without water for more than two hours, as this can lead to rapid dehydration and death.

There are significant differences in feeding methods between free-range and confined poultry. If your chickens are confined indoors in cages or small enclosures without outdoor activity, all their nutritional requirements must be met through feeding. In such cases, feeding should be conducted two to three times daily with strictly controlled portions; avoid providing a single feeding bowl for unrestricted consumption. Confined chickens have limited activity, leading to excessive weight gain, which subsequently reduces egg production. For a confined laying hen, a daily feed intake of 110 to 130 grams is sufficient.

However, if your chickens have a exercise area where they can go out during the day to dig in the soil, graze, and catch insects, you can save on feed. Feeding them once or twice a day is sufficient, with the total amount required being 20% to 30% less than when kept in a confined environment. Feed them less in the morning to encourage them to forage on an empty stomach; feed them more in the evening, using corn kernels or complete feed to lure them back, allowing them to spend the night well-fed in the coop. This approach not only reduces feed consumption but also promotes healthier chickens.

How to determine if you've fed too much or too little? Focus on three key indicators instead of rigidly memorizing numbers—the chicken will tell you the answer. First, observe the crop. After eating feed, the swollen lump on the chicken's chest is the crop. It should be full but not hard when pressed, and should have completely flattened by the next morning. If it remains swollen in the morning, it indicates overfeeding the previous day. Second, check the leftover feed. Before the next feeding, the feeding trough should be nearly clean, with only a small amount of feed residue remaining. If there's always a lot left, reduce the feed quantity; if the feed is licked clean, increase the amount. Third, examine the eggs. If the number of eggs in the coop suddenly decreases and the eggshells become thinner, after ruling out illness, it's most likely due to hunger or calcium deficiency.

Finally, here is a piece of advice: feed less but more frequently, and observe how the chickens consume their feed. No two flocks eat exactly the same, nor does any formula apply precisely to every individual chicken. Spend a week observing your flock to identify the optimal balance characterized by "no leftover feed, no feeding competition, hard eggshells, and good spirits" —at this point, you will be considered a master of chicken feeding.