Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting healthier chickens begins with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the appropriate eating plan at Just about every stage of everyday living is essential for growth, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first number of months of the chick’s life are essential. All through this period, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to support fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the proper stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to take in)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Steer clear of giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit lessen protein information, commonly 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney concerns in young birds.
Purpose: Supports continuous expansion without having encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed right up until they start laying, as significant calcium amounts can harm producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a better volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers have to have QH88 a high-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid fast fat attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg challenges or coronary heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Offer you healthier selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats full grains or roughage, deliver grit to help digestion.
Closing Recommendations
Generally present cleanse, clean drinking water—it’s a lot more essential than feed.
Shop feed correctly to avoid mould and pests.
Change feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!