Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthy chickens starts with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the right food plan at Each individual stage of life is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main handful of weeks of the chick’s everyday living are vital. All through this period, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to aid fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–twenty% protein, along with the correct stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to take in)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only business starter feed.
Idea: Steer clear of offering treats too early—starter feed must be their sole diet to make certain well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit decreased protein written content, typically fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to stop kidney concerns in young birds.
Objective: Supports regular development without having encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed until they begin laying, as large calcium ranges can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initial Egg)
Once your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for extra calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system differs. Broilers have to have a high-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance immediate weight acquire.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed meticulously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or heart issues.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats can be quite a wonderful dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet plan, but they must make QH88 up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Provide balanced selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats whole grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Often present clean, clean drinking water—it’s more significant than feed.
Retail store feed effectively to stop mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts dependant on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single lifetime stage assures a thriving flock, much better egg manufacturing, and much less health concerns. With the appropriate food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe several clucks of appreciation!