Chicken Feed Calculator: Feed per Day and Month
Wondering how much feed 6 or 12 chickens need? Enter the number of birds, their type and your bag size. Amounts per bird are typical values (layers 110 g, broilers 125 g, pullets 75 g a day); your breed, season and feed may differ.
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Formula
- Feed per day (kg) = birds x grams per bird / 1000
- Feed per 30 days = feed per day x 30
- Bags = feed per 30 days / bag weight, rounded up (1 lb = 0.45359237 kg)
- Cost = whole bags x price per bag
Typical amounts per bird per day
| Type | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Layer | 110 | 3.9 |
| Broiler (grow-out average) | 125 | 4.4 |
| Pullet | 75 | 2.6 |
These are typical planning values, not a feed manufacturer's specification. Intake rises in cold weather and during heavy lay, and falls when birds forage well.
Worked example
12 layers: 12 x 110 g = 1,320 g = 1.32 kg a day. For 30 days that is 39.6 kg (87.3 lb). With 20 kg bags: 39.6 / 20 = 1.98, so 2 bags. At 25 a bag the cost is 50.
A second case: 20 broilers, 50 lb bags. Daily feed is 20 x 125 g = 2.5 kg, so 75 kg (165.35 lb) per 30 days. One 50 lb bag is 22.68 kg, and 75 / 22.68 = 3.31, so 4 bags.
When to use it
Use it to budget feed for a backyard flock, to decide how large a bag or how many bags to order, and to compare the cost of layers against broilers. Run it again whenever the flock size changes.
Common mistakes
- Mixing bag units: if the bag is in pounds, switch the units selector first.
- Forgetting that the bag count is rounded up, so the cost is for whole bags.
- Treating the typical grams as a rule. Weigh what your flock actually finishes in a week and adjust.
How it differs from nearby calculators
The stocking rate calculator sizes grazing land for animals, and the hay requirement calculator sizes forage for grazing animals. This one covers bagged complete feed for poultry only.
Frequently asked questions
How much feed does a chicken eat per day?
A typical laying hen eats about 110 g (3.9 oz) of complete feed a day, which is roughly a quarter pound. Pullets eat less, about 75 g, and broilers average about 125 g over a grow-out. These are typical values and vary with breed, weather and feed.
How much feed do 12 laying hens need per month?
12 hens x 110 g = 1,320 g, or 1.32 kg a day. Over 30 days that is 39.6 kg (87.3 lb), so two 20 kg bags cover the month.
How many bags of feed should I buy?
Divide the feed for the period by the bag weight and round up. For 39.6 kg and 20 kg bags, 39.6 / 20 = 1.98, so buy 2 bags. Cost is shown for whole bags.
Does free-ranging or treats change how much feed they need?
Yes. Birds that forage well or get kitchen scraps may eat less complete feed, and cold weather or heavy laying can raise it. Treat the result as a planning estimate and adjust after weighing what your flock actually finishes.
How much feed do 6 chickens need per month?
Six laying hens at a typical 110 g each eat 0.66 kg a day, which is 19.8 kg (43.65 lb) over 30 days. A single 20 kg bag covers the month, with a little left over.
How many pounds of feed does a chicken eat per week?
A laying hen eating a typical 110 g a day uses 770 g a week, which is about 1.7 lb. A flock of 10 hens therefore goes through roughly 17 lb a week, before any foraging or treats.
How many 50 lb bags of feed do 20 broilers need?
Twenty broilers at a typical 125 g a day eat 2.5 kg a day, so 75 kg (165.35 lb) over 30 days. A 50 lb bag holds 22.68 kg, so 75 / 22.68 = 3.31 and you need 4 bags.