Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting wholesome chickens commences with right diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate food plan at each stage of lifestyle is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and overall perfectly-currently being. Irrespective of whether you are increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires helps be certain a happy and effective flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from working day a single to their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Aged)
The very first number of weeks of the chick’s everyday living are critical. In the course of this period, chicks demand large-protein starter feed to assist quick expansion and progress. Most starter feeds consist of 18–twenty% protein, combined with the appropriate harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for little beaks to consume)
Supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Stay clear of offering treats as well early—starter feed need to be their sole diet regime to make sure balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Aged)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally lessen protein material, ordinarily fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney problems in young birds.
Function: Supports continuous growth without having encouraging premature laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as large calcium amounts can harm developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
After your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens desire crumbles around pellets—observe QH88 your flock’s preference.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to assist immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats could be a fantastic dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet plan, but they should make up not more than 10% of daily ingestion. Offer you healthful choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, supply grit to help digestion.
Ultimate Tips
Generally supply cleanse, new drinking water—it’s more critical than feed.
Store feed effectively to stop mould and pests.
Adjust feed portions depending on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens properly at Just about every everyday living phase makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg output, and much less medical issues. With the appropriate eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a number of clucks of appreciation!