5 Best Chicken Feed Brands for Egg Production
Table of Contents
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Top 5 Chicken Feed Brands for Egg Production
- 1. Farmgate Layers Pellets, Best Overall Value
- 2. Allen & Page Organic Layers Pellets, Best for Premium Nutrition
- 3. Versele Laga Gold 4 Mini Mix, Best for Bantams and Small Flocks
- 4. Halleys Hen Blox, Best for Yolk Colour and Affordability
- 5. Nettex Poultry Vitamin Boost Tonic, Best for Targeted Nutritional Support
- Best Layer Pellets for Chickens: What to Look For
- Chicken Feed Storage Tips to Maintain Freshness
- How to Improve Egg Shell Quality with the Right Nutrition
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 31 August 2026
Top 5 Chicken Feed Brands for Egg Production
Feed quality directly impacts egg production. The UK poultry feed market generated revenue of £5,671.1 million in 2025 and is expected to reach £7,736.1 million by 2033, according to Grand View Research's 2026 UK poultry feed market analysis. The best layer feeds contain optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D3 for bone strength, shell quality, and consistent egg production.
Although the natural diet of chickens is 70-80% invertebrates (insects, worms etc) all commercial feed is based on wheat and other grains. So feeding a few calci worms now and then will supplement their diet and give them more interest.
Pro Tip: if you birds are over crowded and pecking each other - switch from layers pellets to layers mash - fed dry it takes them alot longer to eat mash which keeps them occupied and prevents pecking - this is whats fed commercially.
Quick Picks:
- Best Overall Value: Farmgate Layers Pellets
- Best for Shell Strength: Allen & Page Organic Layers Pellets
- Best for Bantams: Versele Laga Gold 4 Mini Mix
- Best Budget Supplement: Halleys Hen Blox
- Best Vitamin Support: Nettex Poultry Vitamin Boost Tonic
1. Farmgate Layers Pellets, Best Overall Value
Farmgate is the largest UK feed mill, delivering balanced nutrition for laying hens at competitive pricing. Their pellets contain optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D3 for consistent egg production and strong shells.
Farmgate pellets store better in plastic bags than paper bags, which matters if keeping feed for several weeks. Collection from Staffordshire offers fresher product and savings on shipping.
What works: Proven formula, excellent value, widely available What doesn't: 20kg bags require are best collected due to weight as shipping costs are high and will double the cost of the feed.
2. Allen & Page Organic Layers Pellets, Best for Premium Nutrition
Allen & Page's organic formulation delivers the same calcium and phosphorus balance as Farmgate with organic certification. Free-range egg production represented 75.4% of UK production in February 2024, according to The Humane League UK's 2024 free-range egg production data, making certification valuable for premium egg sales.
What works: Certified organic, excellent for premium egg sales, balanced nutrition What doesn't: Higher cost, limited regional availability
3. Versele Laga Gold 4 Mini Mix, Best for Bantams and Small Flocks
Versele Laga's Mini Mix is specifically designed for bantams from week 18 onwards. The formula includes fine grains plus 2mm special laying pellets, small enough for bantam beaks to manage comfortably.
What works: Correctly sized for bantams, complete nutrition What doesn't: Overkill for standard-sized birds
4. Halleys Hen Blox, Best for Yolk Colour and Affordability
Halleys Hen Blox are packed with dried alfalfa, the ingredient that makes egg yolks genuinely yellow. They're not a complete replacement for pellets, but exceptional as a supplement.
What works: Visible improvement in yolk colour, affordable, helps rescue birds recover What doesn't: Not a complete diet on its own
5. Nettex Poultry Vitamin Boost Tonic, Best for Targeted Nutritional Support
This vitamin supplement delivers seaweed for egg quality and biotin for healthy skin and feathers. Administer through drinking water at 5ml per 4.5 litres. It's particularly useful during stress periods: moving birds, moulting, or introducing new flock members.
What works: Easy administration, visible improvement in feather condition and yolk colour What doesn't: Complementary only, not a replacement for complete feed
Feed Brand |
Best For |
Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Farmgate Layers Pellets |
Value and reliability |
Optimum calcium and D3 |
Allen & Page Organic |
Premium, certified organic |
Organic certification + nutrition |
Versele Laga Mini Mix |
Bantams and small breeds |
Correctly sized pellets |
Halleys Hen Blox |
Yolk colour and recovery |
Dried alfalfa for yellow yolks |
Nettex Vitamin Tonic |
Targeted vitamin support |
Seaweed and biotin for feathers |
Best Layer Pellets for Chickens: What to Look For
A complete commercial layer feed should contain approximately 16% protein and 3-4% calcium, fed from around 20 weeks of age onwards. Layers need consistent calcium intake to produce strong shells; without it, you'll see soft shells or production drops within days. Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 work together to ensure calcium absorption. Skip any feed that doesn't clearly state these three components on the label.
Chicken Feed Storage Tips to Maintain Freshness
Feed degrades quickly once opened. Moisture, heat, and light all reduce nutritional value within weeks. Store all feed in cool, dry conditions, ideally below 15°C, in sealed containers away from direct sunlight.
Plastic bags store feed better than paper bags - Farmgate feeds come in plastic bags!. If buying feed in paper sacks, transfer contents to airtight plastic bins immediately. This extends shelf life by weeks and prevents pest contamination. Buy only what you'll use within 4-6 weeks.
How to Improve Egg Shell Quality with the Right Nutrition
Shell quality deteriorates when calcium intake drops. Feed your layers a complete pellet containing 16% protein and 3-4% calcium as their main diet, then add supplementary calcium through oyster shell grit in separate feeders so hens can self-regulate their intake.
The combination that works: complete layer feed (Farmgate or Allen & Page) + oyster shell grit + Halleys Hen Blox as a supplement + Nettex tonic during stress.
Sourcing the right feed is the single most reliable way to improve egg production and shell quality. Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire) stocks all five feeds covered here, with UK-wide delivery and collection available. Start with Farmgate Layers Pellets if you're new to feed selection, the balance of cost, nutrition, and proven results makes it the logical first choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best feed to increase egg production in chickens?
A: A complete commercial layer feed with approximately 16% protein and 3–4% calcium, fed from around 20 weeks of age, delivers optimal egg production. Farmgate Layers Pellets and Mash are formulated specifically with these levels, plus Vitamin D3 for bone strength and rich yolk colour. Supplement with grit to support digestion and shell quality.
Q: Is it better to buy chicken feed in plastic or paper bags?
A: Plastic bags store better than paper bags for chicken feed. Plastic protects against moisture, pests, and oxidation, keeping feed fresher for longer. Farmgate, the largest UK feed mill, supplies their layers feed in formats that benefit from plastic storage. If you receive feed in paper sacks, transfer it to airtight plastic containers and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain nutritional value and prevent spoilage.
Q: Do chicken feed brands really make a difference in egg quality?
A: Yes, feed quality directly impacts egg size, shell strength, and yolk colour. The difference lies in calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D3 levels—premium feeds contain optimised ratios that cheaper alternatives often lack.
This article was written using GrandRanker
