How to Actually Read a Feed Tag
By Bertie Holcombe, Poultry Editor — Published 1 September 2025 · Last reviewed 14 February 2026
Feed companies have been selling the same corn-soy base with rotating front-panel copy for 70 years. The tag tells you the truth.
The four numbers that matter
Every chicken feed bag sold in the United States must display a Guaranteed Analysis on the back or side panel. Four numbers tell you almost everything:
Crude Protein: minimum percentage of protein by weight. Layer feed should show 16-17%; starter/grower should show 18-20%; meat-bird finisher can run as low as 16%. Below 15% in a layer feed and you will see egg production drop by week three.
Crude Fat: minimum percentage. Most chicken feeds run 3-5%. Above 7% and you are feeding a meat-bird or a show-condition ration. Fat content matters more for cold-climate winter management than for standard layer work.
Crude Fiber: maximum percentage (not minimum, as with protein and fat). Higher fiber generally indicates more filler grain and less nutrient-dense ingredients. Above 8% in a layer feed suggests a lower-quality ingredient profile.
Calcium: listed separately in some states as a guarantee. Layer hens need 3.5-4.5 grams of calcium per day to maintain shell quality. Most layer feeds provide this in the ration; if calcium is not listed, look for oyster shell in the ingredient list.
The ingredient list in order
Ingredients are listed by weight, heaviest first. Almost every chicken feed leads with corn and soybean meal. This is not a problem — corn-soy is a nutritionally complete base for poultry and has been since the 1940s.
The question is what comes third and fourth. Calcium carbonate (limestone) should appear by the fourth ingredient in any layer feed. Methionine (DL-Methionine) should appear — it is the limiting amino acid for feather quality and egg production that corn-soy does not supply in sufficient quantity. If methionine is not listed, the feed depends on the corn-soy ratio alone, which means lower egg production.
Be skeptical of 'non-GMO' or 'organic' feeds that do not meet the protein guarantee. The feed tag is the fact; the front panel is marketing. Organic corn-soy at 14% crude protein will underperform conventional corn-soy at 17% in every laying trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medicated chick starter dangerous for backyard flocks?
No. Medicated chick starter contains Amprolium, which is not an antibiotic — it is a thiamine analogue that outcompetes coccidia for absorption. It is safe for chicks and does not create drug residues in eggs. If you are raising chicks that have been vaccinated for Marek's disease, avoid medicated starter during the first 2 weeks to prevent vaccine interference.
Should I feed my hens scratch grain?
Scratch grain (cracked corn, milo, wheat) is a treat, not a feed. It is high in carbohydrates and low in protein, calcium, and methionine. Fed in excess, it dilutes the balanced nutrients in layer pellets. A rule of thumb: scratch should not exceed 10% of daily intake. A small handful scattered in the run for enrichment is fine; a full scoop in the feeder is not.