How Much Feed Does a Chicken Eat?
A common question among poultry owners, especially those new to raising birds, is “How much do my birds eat, so I know how much feed to buy?”.
Below are some general guidelines to go by, keeping in mind that a variety of factors, from weather to other available food sources, can influence the exact amount of prepared feed your birds will consume.
Feeding amounts for newly hatched birds:
| Type of Bird | Feeding period | Total amount of feed |
| Layer chicks | First 10 weeks | 9-10 lbs per bird |
| Broiler chicks (based on Cornish Game Birds) | First 6 weeks | 8-9 lbs per bird |
| Turkeys | First 12 weeks | 72 lbs per bird |
| Geese | First 8 weeks | 53 lbs per bird |
| Ducks | First 8 weeks | 22 lbs per bird |
| Gamebirds | First 8 weeks | 9 lbs per bird |
Feeding amounts for laying birds:
| Type of Bird | Total amount of feed |
| Chickens | 1.5 lbs per bird per week |
| Turkeys | 4 – 5 lbs per bird per week |
| Geese | 3 lbs per bird per week |
| Gamebirds | 1 – 1.5 lbs per bird per week |