Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthy chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg creation, and overall well-getting. Whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their changing nutritional wants can help be certain a contented and successful flock. This hen feeding guide walks you through what to feed your birds from day one to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The initial handful of weeks of the chick’s lifestyle are critical. During this era, chicks call for substantial-protein starter feed to help swift growth and advancement. Most starter feeds incorporate eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for tiny beaks to try to eat)
Dietary 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 Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lessen protein written content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in young birds.
Objective: Supports continuous advancement without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as large calcium levels can hurt building organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / Initial Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specially formulated feed consists of about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to assistance eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for extra calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to help immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): QH88 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can lead to leg challenges or coronary heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats could be a wonderful nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of every day intake. Supply healthful possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.
Store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Modify feed portions dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!