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
Elevating healthy chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Every single stage of lifetime is important for progress, egg production, and Over-all effectively-being. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional requirements allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The initial couple weeks of a chick’s existence are important. In the course of this period, chicks have to have high-protein starter feed to help quick advancement and growth. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for small beaks to try to eat)
Supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only business starter feed.
Idea: Stay clear of providing treats far too early—starter feed ought to be their sole eating plan to ensure balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Old)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduced protein information, typically fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney problems in young birds.
Objective: Supports regular development with out encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed right until they begin laying, as higher calcium concentrations can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a higher amount of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for excess calcium.
Tip: QH88 Some hens choose crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system differs. Broilers need a higher-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid rapid bodyweight get.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Idea: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg problems or coronary heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a good dietary supplement to the chickens’ diet program, but they must make up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Offer nutritious alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Suggestions
Often give clean up, fresh water—it’s much more important than feed.
Retailer feed appropriately to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at each lifestyle phase makes certain a thriving flock, far better egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the proper diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a couple of clucks of appreciation!