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 healthful chickens starts off with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the correct diet regime at Just about every stage of everyday living is important for development, egg manufacturing, and overall perfectly-staying. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their transforming nutritional requirements allows guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple months of the chick’s life are vital. Through this era, chicks involve higher-protein starter feed to help immediate progress and enhancement. Most starter feeds include 18–twenty% protein, combined with the appropriate stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (simpler for very small beaks to try to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from giving treats far too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet program to make sure well balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decreased protein content material, commonly fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to stop kidney difficulties in youthful birds.
Objective: Supports constant advancement without having encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as large calcium amounts can harm developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months QH88 / To start with Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about sixteen% protein and a greater level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-option for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens desire crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance fast body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed thoroughly—overfeeding can lead to leg concerns or heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats might be a excellent nutritional supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Offer you nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats whole grains or roughage, provide grit to help digestion.
Remaining Strategies
Normally deliver clean up, fresh new h2o—it’s far more critical than feed.
Keep feed effectively in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Regulate feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Just about every daily life stage makes sure a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!