Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

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Elevating nutritious chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the right food plan at Each individual stage of everyday living is essential for growth, egg creation, and Total well-getting. Regardless of whether you happen to be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, understanding their modifying nutritional demands can help assure a contented and productive flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying a long time.

1. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Old)
The first couple months of a chick’s lifestyle are vital. All through this era, chicks call for significant-protein starter feed to assist speedy development and improvement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, combined with the proper equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for very small beaks to try to eat)

Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.

Tip: Avoid offering treats also early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet to be certain well balanced nourishment.

2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Weeks Aged)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit reduced protein content, normally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney challenges in youthful birds.

Goal: Supports continual advancement without having encouraging untimely laying.

Sort: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Keep away from layer feed right until they begin laying, as superior calcium levels can harm developing organs.

three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed has about 16% protein and a greater level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-choice for more calcium.

Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s desire.

four. QH88 Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers have to have a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to assist swift body weight get.

Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (three weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.

Tip: Monitor feed carefully—overfeeding may lead to leg challenges or coronary heart troubles.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats generally is a terrific supplement towards your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of every day ingestion. Supply healthy selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: When your flock eats entire grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.

Final Strategies
Constantly offer cleanse, fresh water—it’s a lot more significant than feed.

Store feed effectively in order to avoid mildew and pests.

Change feed parts based upon flock sizing and age.

Feeding chickens properly at Every single lifetime phase makes certain a thriving flock, greater egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!