What is the best type of feed for laying hens—textured, pellets, or crumbles?

The best feed form for your flock depends on their age, needs, and breed. NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein is a Clean Crumb™ form. Clean Crumb is an extruded bit that is sized and designed for specialty birds with small beaks to support nutrition and decrease waste.

What are important nutrients for specialty laying hens?

Protein, vitamins A, D3 & E and thiamine are important nutrients for specialty birds. NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb is formulated with Specialty Layer Essentials to address the unique nutritional needs of specialty breeds.

What breeds are considered specialty birds?

The most common specialty breeds are Silkies, Polish, Frizzles, ornamental, and bantam birds!

Back

NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer Clean Crumb 22% Protein feed bag with herbal blend and FlockShield for specialty breeds.

NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer Clean Crumb new bag vs old bag – same specialty nutrition, refreshed look.

Back of NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer feed showing herbal blend, FlockShield, and specialty layer essentials for ornamental poultry.

nutrena naturewise silkie & ornamental layer 22% protein with vitamins and thiamine

nutrena naturewise silkie & ornamental layer 22% protein clean crumb feed form

nutrena naturewise silkie & ornamental layer 22% protein for specialty birds

NatureWise

Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb

NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb™ is rated 4.9 out of 5 by 15.

Nutrena® NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb™ provides complete nutrition tailored to the needs of silkies, bantams, and ornamental breeds. With 22% protein and concentrated nutrients, it supports strong egg production, healthy plumage, and overall vitality. Clean Crumb pieces are perfectly sized for small beaks, offering easy-to-eat, low-mess nutrition. This formula includes layer essentials like vitamins A, D3, and E, plus thiamine for enhanced well-being. Though crafted for specialty breeds, it can be safely fed to your entire flock. Enriched with our Herbal Blend and FlockShield® for immune health, digestion, and nutrient absorption, this premium formula provides balanced nutrition designed with your unique birds in mind.

22.0% Crude Protein

4.5% Max Crude Fiber

5.0% Crude Fat

Ingredients

Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain By-Products, Calcium Carbonate, Soybean Oil, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, L-Lysine, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Natural Flavors, Silicon Dioxide, Oregano Essential Oil, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Oxide, Tagetes (Aztec Marigold) Extract, Rosemary Extract, Artificial Flavors, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Complex, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Sodium Selenite.
Guaranteed Analysis

Nutrient Level

Crude Protein, minimum 22.0%

Lysine, minimum 1.2%

Methionine, minimum 0.45%

Crude Fat, minimum 4.5%

Crude Fiber, maximum 5.0%

Calcium, minimum 2.6%

Calcium, maximum 3.6%

Phosphorus, minimum 0.60%

Salt, minimum 0.2%

Salt, maximum 0.7%

Sodium, minimum 0.1%

Sodium, maximum 0.4%

Manganese, minimum 80 ppm

Selenium, minimum 0.3 ppm

Vitamin A, minimum 4,500 IU/lb

Vitamin D3, minimum 1,550 IU/lb

Vitamin E, minimum 10 IU/lb

Thiamine, minimum 1.1 mg/lb

Lactobacillus acidophilus, minimum 5.1 mil CFU/lb

Lactobacillus casei, minimum 5.1 mil CFU/lb

Bifidobacterium thermophilum, minimum 5.1 mil CFU/lb

Enterococcus faecium, minimum 5.1 mil CFU/lb

Contains a source of live (viable) natural occurring microorganisms.
Feeding Instructions

Start your chick on NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Starter Grower 24% Protein Micro Clean Crumb™ until 16 weeks of age.

Feed NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb™ to support your specialty breeds beginning at 16 weeks of age or onset of lay.

Don’t let feeders run empty.

Clean feeders and waterers regularly.

Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Provide NatureWise® Poultry Grit free choice.

Provide NatureWise® Oyster Shell free choice after 16 weeks of age.

Why Choose Silkie & Ornamental Layer for Specialty Birds

Herbal Blend

We carefully craft our feeds with a unique blend of herbs and essential oils, ensuring your birds are nourished and beaming with a glow of good health.
FlockShield™

Formulated with ingredients to support a strong immune system, optimal digestion, and superior nutrient absorption in healthy flocks.
Specialty Layer Essentials

With 22% protein, vitamins A, D3, & E, and 1.1 mg/lb thiamine, our feed is crafted for the needs of your specialty birds.

Try NatureWise today.

$10 Off Your First Bag

See How Silkie & Ornamental Layer Supports Strong Egg Production

Complete nutrition for specialty breed layers with unique nutritional needs.

Rated 5 out of 5 by Alethea from Very nice! The chickens love it and they look great!! We started the silkie/ornamental feed a couple months ago, honestly they’re looking so good and seem to be loving the food! Their weight is good, and their feathers are shiny and healthy!

Date published: 2026-03-27

Rated 5 out of 5 by Jennifer from Great feed I started using this for my silkies back in November. They have been happy and healthy, laying lots of eggs all through the winter.

Date published: 2026-03-07

NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb™ Reviews – page 2

Frequently Asked Questions About Silkie & Ornamental Layer

What is the best type of feed for laying hens—textured, pellets, or crumbles?

The best feed form for your flock depends on their age, needs, and breed. NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein is a Clean Crumb™ form. Clean Crumb is an extruded bit that is sized and designed for specialty birds with small beaks to support nutrition and decrease waste.
What are important nutrients for specialty laying hens?

Protein, vitamins A, D3 & E and thiamine are important nutrients for specialty birds. NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb is formulated with Specialty Layer Essentials to address the unique nutritional needs of specialty breeds.
What breeds are considered specialty birds?

The most common specialty breeds are Silkies, Polish, Frizzles, ornamental, and bantam birds!

Learn More on the Poultry Blog

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The Power of Protein: Why Protein Matters for Layer Hens

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Raising Silkie, Ornamental, and Bantam Chicks

Raising silkie and ornamental chicks is rewarding and requires special care, particularly in nutrition.
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