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
Elevating balanced chickens starts off with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the ideal food plan at Each individual stage of life is important for growth, egg output, and Total nicely-staying. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires assists guarantee a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Previous)
The primary few weeks of a chick’s lifetime are critical. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance speedy expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the proper 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 sure balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Outdated)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit decrease protein material, ordinarily 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney problems in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports continual expansion with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed until finally they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with QH88 egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater standard of calcium to help eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to assistance speedy excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Keep an eye on feed diligently—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a wonderful health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than ten% of daily intake. Offer wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats entire grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.
Final Suggestions
Usually provide clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional significant than feed.
Keep feed appropriately to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed portions depending on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each individual everyday living stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the proper diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a couple of clucks of appreciation!