Chicken Feeding Guide for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Increasing healthy chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Every single stage of lifestyle is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-staying. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The main couple of weeks of the chick’s everyday living are crucial. During this era, chicks have to have substantial-protein starter feed to assist speedy development and growth. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–20% protein, combined with the suitable equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from offering treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole food plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed until finally they start laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt 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 is made up of 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 more than pellets—observe QH88 your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Strength-dense feed to support speedy body weight acquire.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a excellent health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than 10% of daily intake. Provide wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to aid digestion.
Remaining Recommendations
Constantly provide clear, clean water—it’s far more vital than feed.
Keep feed adequately to avoid mold and pests.
Adjust feed parts dependant on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Each and every everyday living phase ensures a thriving flock, much better egg output, and less health issues. With the ideal eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!