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 healthier chickens starts off with good diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet at each phase of lifestyle is important for development, egg production, and Over-all nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding guidebook 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 Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)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 main couple of weeks of a chick’s lifestyle are important. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance quick expansion and development. Most starter feeds include 18–20% protein, combined with the correct harmony of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to eat)
Supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Tip: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet regime to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Old)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, usually 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in younger birds.
Reason: Supports continuous advancement devoid of encouraging QH88 premature 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 includes about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to help eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to help swift pounds attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to reap): 18–20% protein.
Idea: Watch feed cautiously—overfeeding can result in leg problems or heart difficulties.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats is usually a terrific complement to the chickens’ eating plan, but they must make up not more than ten% of each day ingestion. Present balanced solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats whole grains or roughage, supply grit to help digestion.
Final Strategies
Usually present clean, clean h2o—it’s more essential than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mould and pests.
Adjust feed parts based on flock dimensions 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!