Walk into any feed store and you’ll find six or seven bags all claiming to be the best thing your hens could eat. Most of them are more similar than the marketing suggests — a standard layer feed sits around 16–18% protein with roughly 3.5–4.25% calcium — but the differences that do exist are worth knowing before you commit to a 50 lb bag.
This comparison focuses on layer feed specifically (for hens 18+ weeks or already laying), not starter or grower feed. Here’s how the major brands stack up on formulation, price, and what actual keepers report.
How We’re Comparing These
For each brand, we looked at:
- Protein and calcium levels (the two numbers that matter most for egg production and shell strength)
- Price per pound, not per bag, since bag sizes range from 25 to 50 lbs
- Ingredient quality — whole grains vs. by-products, animal protein vs. vegetarian-only formulas
- Added extras — probiotics, omega-3s, xanthophyll for yolk color
- Consistency reports from keepers who’ve fed it long-term, not just first-bag impressions
The Brands, Head to Head
Purina Layena (and Layena+)
The most widely available conventional layer feed in the US, and the benchmark most other brands get compared against. Standard Layena runs 16% protein with added xanthophyll for the deep yellow yolks people associate with backyard eggs, plus prebiotics and probiotics for gut health. Layena+ Omega-3 is the upgraded version, formulated to boost the omega-3 content of the eggs themselves.
- Protein: 16%
- Price: roughly $15–$17 for a 50 lb bag
- Strengths: Backed by over a century of Purina’s animal nutrition research, extremely consistent from bag to bag, available almost everywhere
- Watch for: Some keepers report picky hens turning up their beaks at the pellet form initially; crumble tends to go over better with mixed-age flocks
Kalmbach All Natural / Henhouse Reserve Layer Feed
Kalmbach has built a strong reputation among more experienced keepers, particularly for formulas that include dried egg yolk and hemp oil as an omega-3 source. The Henhouse Reserve line runs a slightly higher 18% protein than most conventional layer feeds.
- Protein: 17–18% depending on the line
- Price: roughly $17–$20 for a 30–35 lb bag (higher per-pound cost than Purina or Dumor)
- Strengths: Strong ingredient quality, good option if you’re chasing richer yolks and better feather condition
- Watch for: Smaller bag sizes mean a higher cost per pound than the big commodity brands — worth it for smaller flocks, less so if you’re feeding a dozen-plus birds
Nutrena NatureWise
Nutrena sits in the same general tier as Purina — a mainstream commercial feed with a loyal following, especially among keepers who’ve compared it directly against Dumor and Purina side by side. Reports on protein delivery and feather condition are generally positive, and some keepers specifically prefer Nutrena’s All Flock formulation for its higher niacin content compared to Dumor’s equivalent.
- Protein: 16–17%
- Price: roughly $50–$55 for a 50 lb bag at current retail (varies significantly by region and whether it’s on sale)
- Strengths: Solid mid-tier option, well-regarded All Flock line for mixed-age flocks
- Watch for: Pricing has crept up and now often lands above Purina at full retail — check local feed store pricing rather than big-box online listings
Dumor Layer Feed (Tractor Supply house brand)
Dumor is Tractor Supply’s private-label feed, widely believed among keepers to be manufactured by Purina to Tractor Supply’s own specifications rather than Purina’s national formula — though Tractor Supply doesn’t publicly confirm the exact manufacturing relationship. Functionally, it’s the budget option that performs close to name-brand feeds.
- Protein: 16%
- Price: typically $2–$4 cheaper per 50 lb bag than Purina Layena
- Strengths: Best value-for-performance ratio of the mainstream brands; ingredient tags read very similarly to Layena’s
- Watch for: A higher calcium level than some All Flock alternatives, which is appropriate for laying hens but not ideal if you’re feeding a mixed-age flock that includes non-layers
Manna Pro Layer Crumbles
Manna Pro leans into smaller bag sizes and probiotic-forward formulations, making it a common choice for keepers with 3–6 birds who don’t want a 50 lb bag going stale before it’s finished.
- Protein: 16%
- Price: higher cost per pound than bulk 50 lb bags, but convenient bag sizes
- Strengths: Probiotics for gut health, widely available at pet and farm stores, good for small flocks
- Watch for: Some reported inconsistency in dust levels between bags; not the most economical choice for larger flocks
Scratch and Peck Organic Layer Feed
The premium, organic, non-GMO option. Frequently rated the top overall pick by review sites that prioritize ingredient sourcing over price, and a common choice for keepers selling eggs as “organic-fed” or running a small farm-stand operation.
- Protein: typically 16–17%
- Price: roughly double the cost of a conventional 50 lb bag — often $30+ for a comparable weight
- Strengths: Certified organic and non-GMO, no synthetic additives, strong reputation among keepers prioritizing ingredient transparency
- Watch for: The price gap is real and substantial — only worth it if organic sourcing matters to you or your customers, not for the marginal nutrition difference alone
Quick Comparison Table
| Brand | Protein | Approx. Price (50 lb equivalent) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Layena | 16% | $15–$17 | Reliable all-rounder, widest availability |
| Purina Layena+ Omega-3 | 16% | $18–$22 | Boosting omega-3 in eggs |
| Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve | 17–18% | $24–$30 | Richer yolks, better feather condition |
| Nutrena NatureWise | 16–17% | $50–$55 | Mixed-age flocks (All Flock line) |
| Dumor Layer | 16% | $13–$15 | Tightest budget without sacrificing much |
| Manna Pro Layer Crumbles | 16% | Higher per-lb, smaller bags | Small flocks (3–6 birds) |
| Scratch and Peck Organic | 16–17% | $30+ | Certified organic, farm-stand sellers |
Prices vary significantly by region, retailer, and current promotions — treat these as directional, not exact.
Does Feed Brand Actually Change Egg Production?
Mostly no, within the conventional-to-mid-tier range. Keepers who’ve done real side-by-side switches (not confounded by moult, season, or age) generally report that egg quantity doesn’t shift dramatically between comparable-protein feeds. What does change more visibly:
- Yolk color, which responds to xanthophyll content and how much the birds free-range
- Feather and shell quality, which tracks with protein and calcium consistency over months, not weeks
- Feed waste, which is more about crumble vs. pellet form and feeder type than brand
If your hens have stopped laying and you’re hoping a feed switch fixes it, look first at daylight hours, age, moult, and stress before assuming it’s the feed.
Our Take
- Best all-around value: Purina Layena — the most consistent, most available, least likely to disappoint
- Best budget option: Dumor, if you have a Tractor Supply nearby and don’t mind a private-label formula
- Best for richer yolks/omega-3: Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve or Purina Layena+
- Best for small flocks: Manna Pro, for the bag size alone
- Best for organic/farm-stand sellers: Scratch and Peck, if the price premium is justified by your customer base
FAQ
Do I need to switch feeds as my hens age? Not typically once they’re on layer feed — the same formula works from first egg through the end of productive laying. Some keepers transition older hens to a lower-protein “senior” or all-flock blend, but it’s optional.
Pellet, crumble, or mash — does form matter? Mostly personal and flock preference. Crumble tends to reduce selective feeding (birds picking out favorite bits and leaving the rest) compared to mash, while pellets minimize dust and waste the most.
Is a higher price always a better feed? Not necessarily. The jump from Dumor to Layena is mostly about consistency and brand reputation rather than a dramatic nutritional gap. The jump to Scratch and Peck is about ingredient sourcing (organic, non-GMO) rather than raw performance
