Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens commences with correct diet. Feeding your flock the best diet plan at each stage of lifetime is important for development, egg generation, and overall effectively-staying. No matter whether you might be boosting chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their switching nutritional wants allows make sure a happy and productive flock. This chicken feeding information walks you through what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Old)
The initial several weeks of a chick’s lifestyle are vital. Through this period, chicks require high-protein starter feed to guidance quick expansion and progress. Most starter feeds incorporate eighteen–20% protein, combined with the correct harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for tiny beaks to consume)
Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Keep away from giving treats far too early—starter feed must be their sole food plan to make certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat reduce protein written content, normally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to stop kidney troubles in youthful birds.
Objective: Supports constant expansion without encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they begin laying, as significant calcium degrees can damage establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initial Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed has about 16% protein and a higher volume of calcium to assist eggshell QH88 formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens like crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to help immediate weight achieve.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg issues or coronary heart problems.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats might be a excellent nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of day-to-day intake. Offer balanced selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats complete grains or roughage, deliver grit to assist digestion.
Final Recommendations
Constantly provide cleanse, fresh drinking water—it’s more critical than feed.
Store feed adequately to prevent mildew and pests.
Change feed parts based on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Every daily life stage assures a thriving flock, greater egg output, and much less medical issues. With the ideal food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!