Chicken Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating balanced chickens starts off with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet at Every phase of existence is important for progress, egg production, and Over-all effectively-being. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional needs will help be certain a happy 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 Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)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 everyday living are vital. All through this period, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to aid speedy progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the correct stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to take in)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Avoid giving treats too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet plan to make certain balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Aged)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally lessen protein material, commonly fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney troubles in younger QH88 birds.
Reason: Supports steady development with no encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Steer clear of layer feed till they start laying, as high calcium levels can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Very first Egg)
When your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens like crumbles in excess of 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 large-protein, Electrical power-dense feed to help swift excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a terrific supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they should make up not more than 10% of every day ingestion. Present healthier possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Final Recommendations
Often provide clear, fresh water—it’s additional crucial than feed.
Retail store feed effectively to stay away from mold and pests.
Modify feed portions dependant on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at each lifestyle stage guarantees a thriving flock, much better egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!