The 21-Week Feed Plan: When to Switch Chicken Feed the Right Way

If you’ve found this page, you’re probably standing in the coop thinking,
“Okay… when exactly do I switch their feed?”

Totally fair question.

Organic Starter Feed.
Organic Grower Feed.
Organic Layer Feed.

It can feel like a lot at first. But it does not have to be complicated.

The 21-Week Feed Plan was created to keep feeding simple. It walks you step by step from Organic Starter Feed to Organic Grower Feed to Organic Layer Feed, using USDA-certified organic, Non-GMO grains milled fresh from small U.S. family farms.

Good feed early on leads to healthy growth.
Healthy growth leads to strong laying hens.
Strong hens lay organic eggs with rich yolks & solid shells.

Follow this guide, bookmark it, & come back to it as the weeks roll by. The first 20 weeks go fast.

Let’s walk through it together.

 

Phase 1: Organic Starter Feed (0–8 Weeks)

The first eight weeks are all about building the body.

Chicks are developing bones, organs, feathers, & immune systems at an incredible pace. Everything is growing at once. That is why protein matters so much during this stage.

Organic Starter Feed contains 21% protein to support rapid early development & set the foundation for long-term health & future egg production.

This is not the egg stage. It is the structure stage. What happens here determines how strong & resilient the flock will be later.

Think of it as laying the groundwork.

New to backyard chickens? This guide is a helpful place to start.

 

Transition 1: Organic Starter Feed to Organic Grower Feed (Weeks 7–8)

Now the awkward teenage phase begins.

Around week 7, growth begins to shift.

The explosive baby growth slows down, & the focus moves toward steady skeletal & muscle development. This is when the flock is ready for Organic Grower Feed.

Do not make the switch overnight.

Over the course of 14 days, begin mixing Organic Grower Feed into the Organic Starter Feed. Start with mostly Starter & a small amount of Grower. Every few days, increase the Grower portion until feeding 100% Organic Grower Feed by the end of week 8.

A gradual transition protects digestion & keeps growth steady. Try fermenting too to maximize nutrients & probiotics!

Continue offering Chick Grit or Grit free choice in a separate container, especially if feeding Whole Grain options. Proper digestion supports nutrient absorption during this important shift.

If you want a deeper breakdown of feed types & why timing matters, read this guide here.

 

 

Phase 2: Organic Grower Feed (8–20 Weeks)

This is the steady growth stage.

Pullets are strengthening their frame, building muscle, & maturing internally before egg production begins. While they may look nearly full grown on the outside, important development is still happening on the inside.

Organic Grower Feed supports balanced skeletal growth & healthy maturation without introducing higher calcium levels too early.

Organic Grower Feed is available in Mash, Pellet, or Whole Grain, giving flexibility while maintaining complete nutrition for this stage.

This phase is about patience. Strong laying hens are built before they ever lay their first egg.

 

Transition 2: Organic Grower Feed to Organic Layer Feed (Week 20)

Around week 20, most pullets approach laying age.

Their bodies begin preparing for egg production, which increases calcium requirements. This is when Organic Layer Feed becomes important.

Transition slowly over one week.

Start by mixing mostly Organic Grower Feed with a smaller portion of Organic Layer Feed. Gradually increase the Layer portion each day until feeding 100% Organic Layer Feed.

Organic Layer Feed is available in Mash, Pellet, or Whole Grain & is formulated with added calcium to support strong eggshell formation & consistent production.

Keep Chicken Grit available free choice, particularly when feeding Whole Grain. Continue offering Oyster Shell separately once laying begins so hens can regulate additional calcium as needed.

A slow shift allows the body to adjust naturally to the increased mineral demand.

 

Phase 3: Organic Layer Feed (20+ Weeks)

Once laying begins, nutrition supports production.

Organic Layer Feed provides balanced nutrients & calcium for shell strength, egg consistency, & long-term hen health.

At this stage, you are no longer building the frame. You are maintaining it while supporting steady output.

When feed matches biology, hens stay healthier & eggs stay strong.

If egg production ever slows down, this guide may help.

Why the 21-Week Feed Plan Works

Chickens do not need complicated feeding charts.

They need the right organic chicken feed at the right time.

Organic Starter Feed builds the body.
Organic Grower Feed strengthens the frame.
Organic Layer Feed supports strong, consistent egg production.

When nutrition matches biology, the results show up in healthier hens, stronger shells, & eggs you are proud to gather each morning.

 

Make It Even Easier with Feed Kits

The 21-Week Feed Plan becomes even simpler when the feed is already portioned for each stage.

Each Feed Kit is designed for approximately 10 birds & aligned with natural growth milestones.

• Starter Feed Kit
  Covers 8 weeks of Organic Starter Mash with 21% protein, plus Chick Grit
• Grower Feed Kit
  Covers 12 weeks of Organic Grower Feed, along with Grit & Oyster Shell.
• Layer Feed Kit
  Covers 1 month of Organic Layer Whole Grain, plus Grit & Oyster Shell

Each kit includes USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO organic chicken feed milled fresh from U.S.-grown grains sourced from trusted American family farms.

The result?

No mid-stage feed runs.
No standing in the aisle wondering what to buy next.
No scrambling when week 7 or week 20 shows up.

Just a clear, organized path from first peep to first egg.

And if subscribed to the email list, reminders arrive right when it is time to transition so the next stage never catches you off guard.

Simple. Prepared. Confident.

Exactly how raising chickens should feel.

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READ MORE

The Ultimate Chicken Feed Guide: What to Feed & When
A complete breakdown of Organic Starter Feed, Organic Grower Feed, & Organic Layer Feed so you understand exactly what the flock needs at every stage.

Chicken Feed Cost Calculator
Estimate how much organic chicken feed the flock will need & plan ahead with confidence.

Chick/Chicken Name Generator
Because once the flock is thriving, they deserve proper names.