What Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Eat?

Rhode Island Reds are a hardy, dual-purpose chicken breed. Like all chickens, they are omnivores. A balanced diet includes:

• Commercial layer feed (16–18% protein) – pellet or crumble form; the staple.
• Grains – cracked corn, wheat, oats, barley (scratch grains as treat, not main diet).
• Protein supplements – mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, cooked eggs, fish meal.
• Greens & Vegetables – lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumber, pumpkin, carrots.
• Fruits – berries, melon, apples (no seeds), grapes (moderation).
• Grit – insoluble granite grit for digestion (essential if not free-ranging).
• Calcium – oyster shell or limestone supplement for strong eggshells.
• Fresh water – always available.

Free-ranging birds will forage for insects, worms, seeds, and plants. Avoid toxic foods: avocado, chocolate, onion, raw potato, citrus, moldy items.