Match the feed to the bird's stage: Red Hen Chick for young chicks, Red Hen Pullet while birds grow, a Red Hen layer feed from point of lay, and Red Hen Scratch as the base diet for free range birds with access to fresh pasture. Laucke Mills makes the Red Hen range, and every description here is Laucke's own.
The age guide for chickens
Laucke's Poultry Feeds booklet (revised 11/2025) gives these general timings for chickens. Laucke also notes that small birds may need the Chick diet a little longer, until they are ready for the larger Pullet or Meat Bird food.
- Chicks reared for laying or breeding, day old to 6 weeks: Red Hen Chick
- Chicks reared for laying or breeding, 6 weeks until point of lay: Red Hen Pullet
- Chicks reared for laying or breeding, from point of lay: Red Hen 17, Red Hen Layer and Red Hen Free Range Layer
- Chicks reared for the table, day old to 3 or 4 weeks: Red Hen Chick
- Chicks reared for the table, 3 to 4 weeks until slaughter: Red Hen Meat Bird
Laucke gives no specific age recommendation for Red Hen Scratch.
Chicks and the pullet grower
Laucke makes Red Hen Chick in micro crumble form for small birds. As fed, it lists minimum protein 23.0%, minimum fat 5.0%, maximum fibre 6.5% and maximum added salt 0.35%.
Laucke describes Red Hen Pullet as an all-purpose grower food. It is designed for strong body development without excessive weight gain, and its linoleic acid level of 1.2% is there to keep body reserves high going into lay. As fed, it lists minimum protein 16.0%, minimum fat 5.0%, maximum fibre 10.0% and maximum added salt 0.35%.
Laucke calls the chick feed Red Hen Chick and the pullet feed Red Hen Pullet. Our product names are Chick Starter Crumbles and Pullet Grower, so the two sets of names refer to the same feeds.
The layer feeds compared
Laucke describes Red Hen Layer as a premium quality poultry breeder and layer food, and Red Hen Free Range Layer as a high energy premium quality poultry breeder and layer food. Red Hen 17, also named Red Hen Se17enteen by Laucke, is a premium quality layer and breeder food. Laucke lists all three as complete layer foods that require no other supplementary feeding.
As fed, minimum protein is 15.0% in Red Hen Layer, 15.0% in Red Hen Free Range Layer and 17.0% in Red Hen 17. Minimum fat is 5.5%, 3.0% and 3.0% respectively, and maximum fibre is 10.0%, 9.0% and 8.0%. Minimum calcium is 4.0%, 3.8% and 4.2%, and all three list maximum added salt at 0.35%.
Red Hen Layer is a blend of whole and rolled grains and micro pellets. Red Hen Free Range Layer is a mixture of whole and rolled grains fortified with vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, encapsulated in micro pellets and coated with vegetable oil and molasses. Red Hen 17 is made as No Grind Crumbles, which Laucke says makes the gizzard work harder for better digestion. For more on pellets, scratch mix and mash, read layer pellets versus scratch mix versus mash.
Scratch for free range birds
Laucke describes Red Hen Scratch as a mixture of natural grains fortified with calcium and methionine. It is intended for free range poultry with access to fresh pasture, and under those conditions it forms the base diet. As fed, it lists minimum protein 12.0%, minimum fat 3.0%, maximum fibre 8.0% and minimum calcium 1.0%.
Laucke does not describe Red Hen Scratch as a complete feed. If free range conditions are not ideal, Laucke says it may be necessary to feed a complete layer food such as Red Hen Free Range Layer, Red Hen Layer or Red Hen 17.
Meat birds
Laucke describes Red Hen Meat Bird as an all-purpose grower food for meat birds (broilers) and other table poultry. As fed, it lists minimum protein 20.0%, minimum fat 5.0%, maximum fibre 6.5% and maximum added salt 0.35%.
Feeding hints from Laucke
Laucke recommends a feeder that stops hens scratching feed onto the ground, raised to about head height. Grain mixes let birds pick the most attractive pieces first, so Laucke suggests feeding them daily and letting birds eat most of the ration before feeders are refilled.
Hens will enjoy fresh household food scraps, grass and lawn clippings, but access may need restricting to prevent nutritional imbalances. Green grass, which contains natural colouring pigments, enhances egg yolk colour.
Laucke says laying hens respond to day length, so in autumn and early winter they may lay fewer eggs or stop laying and moult. Read what to feed chickens for better eggs, in winter and through moulting for more on those months.
Laucke also says protein percentage alone can mislead. An unbalanced 20% protein diet is likely to perform less well than a balanced 15% diet if any essential amino acids are below requirements.
Laucke's warnings
Laucke says Red Hen Chick, Red Hen Pullet and Red Hen Meat Bird do not contain a coccidiostat. Five of the seven feeds carry the restricted animal material warning: Red Hen Chick, Red Hen Pullet, Red Hen Layer, Red Hen 17 and Red Hen Meat Bird. Laucke says these must not be fed to cattle, sheep, goats, deer or other ruminants. Red Hen Free Range Layer and Red Hen Scratch are stated as not containing restricted animal material. All seven say to feed only the species described and to provide clean, fresh water at all times.
How to choose
Start with the bird's stage: Red Hen Chick for chicks, Red Hen Pullet while growing, then a layer feed from point of lay. Among the layer feeds, Red Hen 17 is the No Grind Crumble, Red Hen Layer is the grain and micro pellet blend, and Red Hen Free Range Layer is the one stated as not containing restricted animal material.
Our picks
- Laucke Red Hen Chick Starter Crumbles 20kg: Laucke says Red Hen Chick is manufactured in micro crumble form for ease of consumption by small birds.
- Laucke Red Hen Pullet Grower 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen Pullet as an all-purpose poultry grower food for growing pullets.
- Laucke Red Hen Layer 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen Layer as a premium quality poultry breeder and layer food.
- Laucke Red Hen Free Range Layer 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen Free Range Layer as a high energy premium quality poultry breeder and layer food.
- Laucke Red Hen 17 Premium Layer No Grind Crumbles 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen 17 as a premium quality layer and breeder food.
- Laucke Red Hen Free Range Scratch Grain Mix 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen Free Range Scratch Grain Mix as a mixture of natural grains fortified with calcium and methionine.
- Laucke Red Hen Meat Bird 20kg: Laucke describes Red Hen Meat Bird as an all-purpose meat bird grower food.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Red Hen Layer and Red Hen 17?
Laucke lists both as complete layer foods that need no other supplementary feeding. Red Hen 17 has higher minimum protein (17.0% against 15.0%) and lower minimum fat (3.0% against 5.5%), and it is made as No Grind Crumbles.
Which Red Hen feed is for chicks?
Red Hen Chick is Laucke's chick feed. Laucke says it is fed from day old to 6 weeks for chickens reared for laying or breeding, and from day old to 3 or 4 weeks for chickens reared for the table.
When do pullets move on to a layer feed?
Laucke's timing has Red Hen Pullet from 6 weeks until point of lay, then Red Hen 17, Red Hen Layer and Red Hen Free Range Layer from point of lay.
Is Red Hen Scratch a complete feed?
No. Laucke does not describe Red Hen Scratch as a complete feed, and says a complete layer food may be necessary when free range conditions are not ideal.
Does Red Hen Layer come as pellets?
Laucke describes Red Hen Layer as a blend of whole and rolled grains and micro pellets. Red Hen 17 is made as No Grind Crumbles instead.
Browse the full range in Poultry Feed.
Sources
Product facts in this guide are taken from the manufacturers' own pages listed below and from the product listings on this site; general care points are given as practical guidance, not veterinary advice. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Chick
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Pullet
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Layer
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Free Range Layer
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen 17
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Scratch
- Laucke Mills: Red Hen Meat Bird
- Laucke Mills: Poultry Feeds booklet (Red Hen feeding recommendations, feeding and management hints)