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
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Elevating wholesome chickens begins with appropriate nutrition. Feeding your flock the best eating plan at Each individual stage of lifestyle is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and General well-remaining. Whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their changing nutritional desires aids ensure a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person for their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main couple of weeks of a chick’s existence are significant. Throughout this period, chicks demand substantial-protein starter feed to guidance immediate growth and improvement. Most starter feeds have eighteen–twenty% protein, combined with the proper stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for little beaks to consume)
Supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only professional starter feed.
Suggestion: Steer clear of supplying treats far too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet regime to make certain well balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Aged)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduced protein written content, normally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney issues in young birds.
Objective: Supports regular expansion without encouraging untimely laying.
Form: Crumbles QH88 or pellets.
Supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Prevent layer feed right until they start laying, as substantial calcium stages can harm developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initially Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed has about 16% protein and the next standard of calcium to help eggshell development.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to assist swift pounds gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement for your chickens’ diet, but they need to make up not more than 10% of daily consumption. Offer wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats complete grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.
Last Ideas
Often supply clean up, new drinking water—it’s far more vital than feed.
Retail outlet feed adequately in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions depending on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens properly at Every existence stage makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg creation, and fewer health concerns. With the best diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!