Layer Feed Comparison Chart | POULTRY
What is the Best Layer Feed?
Compiled from available data - July 2026
Shop at Appletons for the best layer feed
TOP CHOICE
excellent $ value,
high CP%,
animal proteins
highly recommend
Ingredients selected from
Wheat, barley,
triticale,
wheat by-products,
soya meal,
peas, lupins,
meat & bone meal,
blood meal,
lime, tallow,
phosphates,
salt, yolk colouring,
vitamins and minerals,
canola meal,
vegetable oil,
sodium bicarbonate,
amino acids,
pellet binder.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 18% (min)
Fibre 5% (max)
Fat 6% (max)
Salt 2% (max)
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal,
blood meal
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 140g
TOP CHOICE
excellent $ value,
high CP%,
animal proteins,
highly recommend
Ingredients selected from
Wheat, barley,
triticale,
wheat by-products,
soya meal,
peas, lupins,
meat & bone meal,
blood meal,
lime, tallow,
phosphates,
salt, yolk colouring,
vitamins and minerals,
canola meal,
vegetable oil,
sodium bicarbonate,
amino acids,
pellet binder.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 17% (min)
Fibre 5% (max)
Fat 6% (max)
Salt 2% (max)
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal,
blood meal
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 140g
TOP CHOICE
organic layer feed,
high CP%,
animal proteins,
highly recommend
Ingredients selected from
Certified organic grain and grain by-products, organic plant proteins,
organic animal protein MBM,
organic vegetable oils,
amino acids (limited to certification parameters),
organic salt,
natural minerals,
natural yolk pigments, vitamins
and
trace minerals.
Analysis may vary slightly due to grain variances.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 18.5% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
organic meat & bone meal, blood meal
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 175g
GOOD CHOICE
Golden yolks,
high CP%,
animal proteins,
highly recommend
Ingredients selected from
Grain and grain
by-products,
various plant proteins,
lucerne,
minerals,
molasses,
vegetable oils,
animal proteins,
amino acids,
vitamins
and
trace minerals.
Analysis may vary slightly due to grain variances.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 19% (min)
Fibre 5.5%
Fat 5%
Salt
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal, blood meal; animal protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 175g
Best as a TREAT FEED alongside a quality layer feed,
minimum CP%,
synthetic proteins
Ingredients selected from
High protein pellets (soya bean meal, peas, wheat by-products (broll) and vegetable oil),
barley, kibbled maize,
wheat, whole oats,
kibbled green peas,
canary seed,
oyster grit,
NZ sunflower.
Reactive lysine mg/100mg: 0.75%
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16.5% (min)
Fibre 6.4%
Fat 3.8%
Salt
Calcium 1.6%
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable & soy based
we recommend this
as a treat feed only
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
150g
OK CHOICE
move to a better feed if you can!
minimum CP%,
synthetic proteins
Ingredients selected from
Grain and grain
by-products,
plant proteins, vegetable oils,
enzymes,
amino acids,
limestone,
mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt,
sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, organic acids and plant extracts and natural pigments. Lysine 6.7 g/kg (min). May contain or be sourced from genetically modified source crops.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16.5% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable based
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 130g
OK CHOICE
move to a better feed if you can!
minimum CP%,
synthetic proteins
Ingredients selected from
Barley, wheat, maize,
wheat by-products,
peas, soya bean meal,
canola oil, choline,
methionine, lysine,
threonine, prebiotic, probiotics, major minerals (incl. di-calcium phosphate and limestone), sodium bicarbonate, salt, vitamins, yolk colourant. May contain or be sourced from genetically modified source crops.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt 0.2% (min)
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable based
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 140g
Thumbs down as a layer feed
minimum CP%, molasses,
synthetric porteins
Ingredients selected from
Maize, wheat,
soya meal,
barley, shell grit,
limestone, molasses,
DCP
(di-calcium phosphate), vegetable oil,
salt,
vitamins and mineral premix including amino acids (methionine and lysine)
Completely vegetarian, meal-form chicken food.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable based
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
1 handful
Thumbs down as a layer feed
minimum CP%, molasses,
synthetric porteins
Ingredients selected from
Grains, grain by-products, plant proteins, molasses, vegetable oils, enzymes, amino acids, limestone, oyster grit, mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, mould inhibitor, probiotics, prebiotics, natural pigments. May contain or be sourced from genetically modified source crops.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 15% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable based
we recommend this
as a treat feed only
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
125 - 130g
OK CHOICE
move to a better feed iwith higher proteinif you can!
minimum CP%, animal proteins
Ingredients selected from
Grains,
grain by-products,
animal proteins,
plant proteins,
animal fats,
vegetable oils,
minerals,
amino acids
and a specialised
vitamin and mineral premix.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre 5.5%
Fat 5%
Salt
Calcium 4%
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal,
blood meal; animal protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
125 - 130g
OK CHOICE
move to a better feed with higher CP% if you can!
minimum CP%,
animal proteins
Ingredients selected from
Wheat,
barley,
triticale,
wheat by-products,
soya meal, peas, lupins,
meat & bone meal,
blood meal,
lime, tallow,
vegetable oil,
dicalcium phosphate,
salt, colouring,
vitamins and minerals.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre 5% max
Fat 6% max
Salt 2% max
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal,
blood meal
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130g
POOR CHOICE
move to a better feed if you can!
minimum CP%,
synthetic proteins, palm kernel oil
Ingredients selected from
Cereal grains (wheat, barley, rice and/or sorghum), rice bran, wheat bran, ground oat meal, canola meal, palm kernel meal, soya bean meal, limestone, sodium Bentonite, linoleic acid, canola oil, salt, vitamin and mineral premix including essential amino acids. Contain high levels of calcium and a balanced Calcium:Phosphorous ratio
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre 8%
Fat 4.5%
Salt
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
amino acids,
vegetable based
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
POOR CHOICE
move to a better feed if you can! minimum CP%
synthetic proteins,
100% vegetarian
Ingredients selected from
Plant-powered,
high protein and balanced,
100% vegetarian(with marigold extract) for free-range layer hens. Also contains added vitamins, minerals, trace nutrients but no added hormones or antibiotics whatsoever.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 15% (min)
Fibre 10%
Fat 3%
Salt
Calcium
Key Protein Source
Synthetic
vegetable
based
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
GOOD CHOICE
North island based,
high CP%,
animal proteins,
highly recommend
Ingredients selected from
Locally sourced
grains and cereals,
meat and bone meal,
plant proteins,
limestone,
macro and trace minerals and vitamins.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 17% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
Key Protein Source
Ruminent
meat & bone meal,
blood meal
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
110 - 130g
Swipe for more feed comparisons
Recommended
Ingredients selected from
Wheat, barley, triticale, wheat by-products, soya meal, peas, lupins, meat & bone meal, blood meal, lime, tallow, phosphates, salt, yolk colouring, vitamins, minerals, canola meal, vegetable oil, sodium bicarbonate, amino acids, pellet binder.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 18% (min)
Fibre 5%
Fat 6%
Salt 2%
Calcium
About protein
Contains ruminant proteins
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 140g
Recommended
Ingredients selected from
Wheat, barley, triticale, wheat by-products, soya meal, peas, lupins, meat & bone meal, blood meal, lime, tallow, phosphates, salt, yolk colouring, vitamins, minerals, canola meal, vegetable oil, sodium bicarbonate, amino acids, pellet binder.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 17% (min)
Fibre 5%
Fat 6%
Salt 2%
Calcium
About protein
Contains ruminant proteins
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 140g
Recommended
Ingredients selected from
Certified organic grain and grain by-products, organic plant proteins, organic animal protein MBM, organic vegetable oils, amino acids (limited to certification parameters), organic salt, natural minerals, natural yolk pigments, vitamins and trace minerals.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 18.5% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium
About protein
Analysis may vary slightly due to grain variances
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 175g
Recommended
Ingredients selected from
Grain and grain by-products, various plant proteins, lucerne, minerals, molasses, vegetable oils, animal proteins, amino acids, vitamins and trace minerals.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 19% (min)
Fibre 5.5%
Fat 5%
Salt
Calcium
About protein
Analysis may vary slightly due to grain variances
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 140g
We suggest best as treat feed
Ingredients selected from
High protein pellets (soya bean meal,
peas,
wheat by-products (broll) and
vegetable oil),
barley,
kibbled maize,
wheat,
whole oats,
kibbled green peas, canary seed,
oyster grit,
NZ sunflower.
Reactive lysine mg/100mg: 0.75%
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16.5% (min)
Fibre 6.4%
Fat 3.8%
Salt
Calcium 1.6%
About protein
Treat feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
150g
OK
Ingredients selected from
Grain and grain
by-products,
plant proteins, vegetable oils,
enzymes,
amino acids,
limestone,
mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt,
sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, organic acids and plant extracts and natural pigments.
Lysine 6.7 g/kg (min)
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16.5% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
120 - 130g
OK
Ingredients selected from
Barley, wheat, maize, wheat by-products, peas, soya bean meal, canola oil, choline, methionine, lysine, threonine, prebiotic, probiotics, major minerals (incl. di-calcium phosphate and limestone), sodium bicarbonate, salt, vitamins, yolk colourant. Pellets may contain or be sourced from genetically modified source crops.
Dry matter 88%
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt 0.2%
Calcium
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130 - 140g
OK
Ingredients selected from
Maize, wheat,
soya meal, barley, shell grit, limestone, molasses, DCP
(di-calcium phosphate), vegetable oil,
salt,
vitamins and trace minerals,
amino acids (Methionine and Lysine)
Completely vegetarian, meal-form chicken food.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
1 handful
We suggest best as treat feed
Ingredients selected from
Grains, grain by-products, plant proteins, molasses, vegetable oils, enzymes, amino acids, limestone, oyster grit, mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, mould inhibitor, probiotics, prebiotics and natural pigments.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein ..% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium
About protein
A blend of steam flaked & kibbled grains, molasses & pellets
Treat feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
OK
Ingredients selected from
Grains, grain by-products, animal proteins, plant proteins, animal fats, vegetable oils, minerals, amino acids and a specialised vitamin and mineral premix.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre 5.5%
Fat 5%
Salt
Calcium 4%
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
125 - 130g
OK
Ingredients selected from
Wheat, barley, triticale, wheat by-products, soya meal, canola meal, lupins, meat & bone meal, blood meal, lime, tallow, vegetable oil, phosphate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, yolk pigments, pellet binder.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre 5%
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
130g
OK
Ingredients selected from
Cereal grains (wheat, barley, rice and/or sorghum), rice bran, wheat bran, ground oat meal, canola meal, palm kernel meal, soya bean meal, limestone, sodium Bentonite, canola oil, salt, CopRice Layer vitamin and mineral premix including essential amino acids.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 16% (min)
Fibre
Fat 6.5%
Salt
Calcium
About protein
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
OK
Ingredients selected from
Plant-powered, high protein and balanced, 100% vegetarian (with marigold extract) for free-range layer hens. Also contains added vitamins, minerals, trace nutrients but no added hormones or antibiotics whatsoever.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 15% (min)
Fibre
Fat 3%
Salt
Calcium
About protein
Crude Protein 10% Energy (kcal ME/kg) 2250
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
OK
Ingredients selected from
Locally sourced grains and cereals, meat and bone meal, plant proteins, limestone, macro and trace minerals and vitamins.
Typical Analysis (as is fed)
Crude Protein 17% (min)
Fibre
Fat
Salt
Calcium 3.8%
About protein
Contains animal proteins
Complete feed
Avg. Daily Ration / Bird
110 - 130g
Swipe for more feed comparisons
Ruminent Proteins
Blood, meat and bone meal (ruminant proteins) are what you need to look for. These are the quality proteins in their natural form and the ones you need to be feeding out.
Amino acids | lysine & methionine
These are synthetically manufactured protein mixes added to the feed to ensure your bird receives the key essential proteins it needs.
Avoid molasses binders,
cheap fillers and nasty palm kernel meal.
Crude Protein
The optimum crude protein is 17-19%. This ensures they are getting everything they need plus enough to cope with moulting, top egg production and good overall body maintenance.
Weston Free Range Layer or
Peak Layer Pellets
recommended
NRM
Peck'n'Lay
Farmlands Reliance Layer
NRM
Chook Tucker
Mainfeeds Barnyard Layer
Coprice
Premium Layer
Topflite
Scratch & Lay
Organic Certified
Layer MBM Pellets 20kg | Denver Meal Time
recommended
Not All Chicken Feed is the Same!
Check out our layer feed comparison chart below.
Swipe to the right on mobile for more product information or jump on your desktop for an easier comparison.
| Product | Weston Free Range or Peak Layer Pellets | NRM Peck'n'Lay Pellets | Farmlands Reliance Free Range Layer Pellets | NRM Chook Tucker | Mainfeeds Barnyard Layer Pellets | Coprice Premium Layer Feed | Topflite Scratch & Lay | Organic Certified Layer MBM Pellets Denver Meal Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Wheat, Barley, Triticale, Wheat by-products, Soya Meal, Peas, Lupins, Meat & Bone Meal, Blood Meal, Lime, Tallow, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Yolk Colouring, Vitamins, Minerals Contains ruminant proteins | Grain and grain by-products, plant proteins, vegetable oils, animal fats, enzymes, amino acids, limestone, mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, organic acids and plant extracts, natural pigments. | Selected from; Barley, canola, copra, Grassmeal, linseed, lysine, Maize, Methionine, Minerals (including Dicalcium and limestone), Oats, Peas, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soyabean Meal, Soya Oil, Threonine, Vitamins, Wheat, Wheat by-products, yolk colourant | Ingredients selected from: Grain and grain by-products, plant proteins, vegetable oils, animal fats, enzymes, amino acids, molasses, limestone, mono or di-calcium phosphate, salt, sodium bicarbonate, vitamins and trace minerals, mould inhibitor, pigments | Selected from grains, grain by-products animal proteins plant proteins, animal fats, vegetable oils, minerals, amino acids and a specialised vitamin / mineral premix. Vitamins, Wheat, Wheat by-products, Yolk colourant. | Ingredients selected from Cereal grains (wheat, barley, rice and/or sorghum), rice bran, wheat bran, ground oat meal, canola meal, palm kernel meal soybean meal, limestone, sodium Bentonite, canola oil, salt, CopRice Layer vitamin and mineral premix including essential amino acids. | Barley, canary seeds, wheat, oats, kibbled maize, kibbled green peas, poultry pellets (soya bean meal, peas, wheat by-products (broll) and vegetable oil), sunflower seeds, grit. Best fed out as a treat feed in small amounts in the late afternoon. | Selected from: Certified organic grain and grain by-products, organic plant proteins, organic animal protein MBM, organic vegetable oils, amino acids (limited to certification parameters), organic salt, natural minerals, natural yolk pigments, vitamins and trace minerals. |
| Nutritional Analysis | Crude Protein 17-18%, Fat 6%, Fibre 5%, Salt 2% | Crude Protein 16.5% Available Lysine 6.7g/kg (min) Calcium 3.8% | Crude Protein 16% Fat (minimum) 3.5% Fibre (maximum) 3.5% Salt (minimum) 0.2% | Crude Protein 15%
Calcium 3.8% | Crude Protein 16% Fat (Max.)5% Fibre (Max.)5.5% Salt (Max.) 0.4% Calcium (Min.) 4% | Crude Protein 16% Crude Fibre Max 8.0% Crude Fat Max 6.5% Calcium Min 3.5% Phosphorus Min 0.5% | Crude Protein 16.5% Fat: 3.8%, Fibre: 6.4%, Calcium: 1.6%, Reactive Lys mg/100mg: 0.75% | Crude Protein 18.5% as fed. May vary slightly due to grain variances. |
| Bag Size | 25kg | 20kg | 25kg | 25kg | 10kg and 20kg | 25kg | 5kg, 10kg and 25kg | 20kg |
| Feed Ration | 120-140 grams per head/day. | 125 – 130g (approximately one cup or a good handful) per hen per day | 130 to 140 grams per bird per day | approximately 1 cup (or a good handful) per hen per day. | Average intake up to 125g per bird per day | approximately 100g to 140g per head per day | approximately 150gm per bird per day | 130-175g of feed depending on age, breed and weight. |
| Product | Weston Free Range Layer or Peak Layer | NRM Peck'n'Lay | Reliance Layer Pellets | Chook Tucker | Barnyard Layer Pellets | Coprice Layer Pellets | Topflite Scratch & Lay | Organic Certified Layer MBM Pellets Denver Meal Time |
Blood, meat and bone meal (ruminant proteins) are what you need to look for. These are the quality proteins in their natural form and the ones you need to be feeding out.
These are synthetically manufactured protein mixes added to the feed to ensure your bird receives the key essential proteins it needs.
Avoid molasses binders,
cheap fillers and nasty palm kernel meal.
The optimum crude protein is 17-19%. This ensures they are getting everything they need plus enough to cope with moulting, top egg production and good overall body maintenance.