Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthy chickens starts with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the correct diet plan at each stage of everyday living is essential for development, egg production, and In general effectively-remaining. No matter if you're elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their altering nutritional requires helps make certain a cheerful and effective flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The first handful of weeks of a chick’s existence are important. During this era, chicks call for substantial-protein starter feed to help rapid expansion and growth. Most starter feeds include eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the appropriate balance of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (much easier for tiny beaks to try to eat)
Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from supplying treats as well early—starter feed need to be their sole diet program to guarantee 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 content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports constant progress without having encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: QH88 Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as substantial calcium ranges can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about 16% protein and a higher volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, Power-dense feed to help quick weight obtain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Suggestion: Keep an eye on feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart issues.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a wonderful health supplement on your chickens’ eating plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Offer you healthful choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats full grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.
Last Recommendations
Usually present thoroughly clean, new water—it’s more important than feed.
Store feed properly to stay away from mould and pests.
Alter feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Just about every lifetime stage assures a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and less health problems. With the proper diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!