Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating nutritious chickens starts off with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the right diet at each phase of lifestyle is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The primary handful of months of a chick’s everyday living are crucial. Through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to guidance quick development and progress. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, along with the correct stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to consume)
Health supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Avoid supplying treats too early—starter feed should be their sole diet plan to make sure balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Old)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decreased protein information, commonly 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney problems in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports constant development with out encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Keep away from layer feed right up until they start laying, as large calcium ranges can damage creating organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and a higher amount of calcium to support eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers require a high-protein, Strength-dense feed to assist quick fat obtain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): 18–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Check feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats can be quite a good nutritional supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply wholesome selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to aid digestion.
Closing Tips
Constantly deliver clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional significant than feed.
Retail store feed properly to prevent mildew and pests.
Modify feed parts based upon flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Each and every lifestyle phase assures a thriving flock, improved egg generation, and fewer health concerns. With the best QH88 diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!