Chicken Feeding Information for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Information for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating healthier chickens starts off with good nourishment. Feeding your flock the right diet plan at Every single stage of life is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and General well-remaining. Whether or not you happen to be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their changing nutritional desires assists be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The initial couple months of the chick’s everyday living are crucial. Through this era, chicks involve higher-protein starter feed to help quick expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–twenty% protein, combined with the proper stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to consume)
Dietary supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from giving treats much too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet program to make sure well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly decreased protein content material, commonly fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney challenges in young birds.
Goal: Supports continuous growth without having encouraging premature laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Avoid layer feed till they start laying, as higher calcium ranges can harm developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
Once your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Supply oyster shell QH88 or crushed eggshells totally free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers require a high-protein, Electricity-dense feed to assistance quick weight obtain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Keep track of feed diligently—overfeeding can lead to leg concerns or heart difficulties.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats can be a great complement for your chickens’ diet, but they must make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Offer you wholesome selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Final Recommendations
Often deliver thoroughly clean, fresh new water—it’s additional essential than feed.
Retail outlet feed correctly to stop mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each lifestyle phase makes sure a flourishing flock, far better egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the proper diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!