Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Raising nutritious chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of daily life is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and In general very well-getting. No matter if you're 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 day one particular to their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The main few months of a chick’s lifestyle are vital. Through this era, chicks have to have significant-protein starter feed to guidance swift expansion and development. Most starter feeds include eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the suitable equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for small beaks to take in)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Avoid supplying treats way too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to make sure well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Old)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduced protein content, generally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney issues in youthful birds.
Purpose: Supports steady advancement with out encouraging premature laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as significant calcium degrees can damage producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Very first Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to support eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-choice for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens want crumbles QH88 above pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy pounds acquire.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats can be a great supplement for your chickens’ eating plan, but they need to make up not more than 10% of daily consumption. Give nutritious possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats total grains or roughage, supply grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Suggestions
Constantly deliver clean, refreshing drinking water—it’s additional vital than feed.
Store feed correctly in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Just about every lifetime stage guarantees a flourishing flock, superior egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the ideal food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!