How to feed for variety without losing balance
If you’ve ever stood in front of your feed bins wondering whether it’s okay to mix a bit of this and a scoop of that you’re not alone.
Many backyard keepers want to give their flock variety. A bit of scratch for movement. A pellet for structure. Maybe some mash or greens.
But does mixing different types of chicken feed help — or hurt?
The answer depends on how your flock lives, and how well your feeds are built.
What’s the risk with casual mixing?
Most complete layer feeds — like our Egg Booster Layer Pellet or Ultimate Scratch Mix — are carefully balanced.
They deliver the right levels of protein, energy, calcium, and amino acids to support daily lay, feather condition, and long-term health.
When you start adding in grain blends or other feeds that aren’t complete, you can dilute that balance. And in organic systems — where synthetic top-ups aren’t allowed — this can really matter.
If you’re feeding random scratch mixes, unbalanced grains, or too many table scraps, you might unintentionally:
- Lower overall protein or calcium
- Cause shell issues or inconsistent lay
- See birds picking out favourites and leaving the rest
- Create waste and nutrient gaps.
So when it comes to mixing your chicken’s feeds it all depends on how you do it.
Ensure that your hens are getting all of the following:
- sufficient protein from their feed to build healthy feathers and make eggs
- grit to help with their digestion. This might be the small stones they eat as they’re picking up grains
- a chance to forage for grubs and bugs which keeps them occupied
To do this you can choose a general pellet feed then combine it with some grains and scraps, especially if your hens are caged.
Or choose our Ultimate Scratch Mix which really does provide everything they need whether they are confined or free to roam.
Chickens love variety and foraging keeps them occupied.