Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens starts off with proper diet. Feeding your flock the best diet plan at Every phase of lifetime is essential for growth, egg output, and All round well-staying. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of months of the chick’s life are vital. All through this period, chicks demand superior-protein starter feed to assistance quick expansion and development. Most starter feeds include 18–20% protein, along with the appropriate harmony of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid providing treats much too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet regime to be certain well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Previous)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduce protein material, generally 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney issues in young birds.
Intent: Supports continuous advancement without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed until eventually QH88 they start laying, as superior calcium degrees can harm producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and a better volume of calcium to help eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens choose crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers need a large-protein, Strength-dense feed to guidance immediate weight obtain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Idea: Observe feed diligently—overfeeding may lead to leg difficulties or heart difficulties.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a fantastic complement towards your chickens’ eating plan, but they should make up not more than ten% of day-to-day ingestion. Supply healthy selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Closing Tips
Often give clean up, clean drinking water—it’s extra essential than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.
Adjust feed portions according to flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each life phase makes certain a thriving flock, far better egg creation, and less health problems. With the correct diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!