Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthier chickens commences with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the correct diet program at Each and every stage of lifetime is important for growth, egg manufacturing, and Over-all perfectly-getting. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their transforming nutritional wants will help assure a cheerful and effective flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The first number of months of the chick’s existence are crucial. Throughout this era, chicks have to have significant-protein starter feed to assist speedy development and development. Most starter feeds comprise 18–twenty% protein, combined with the correct equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for little beaks to try to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Avoid giving treats too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet program to make certain balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit lessen protein information, commonly 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney concerns in young birds.
Intent: Supports continual progress without having encouraging premature laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Keep away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt establishing 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 assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid bodyweight get.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats might be a good health supplement in your chickens’ diet, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of daily consumption. Offer healthier choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats whole QH88 grains or roughage, supply grit to help digestion.
Remaining Ideas
Generally provide clean, refreshing drinking water—it’s additional vital than feed.
Shop feed effectively in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions depending on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single daily life stage guarantees a flourishing flock, greater egg creation, and fewer health problems. With the proper diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!