Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Raising nutritious chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet at Just about every stage of everyday living is essential for growth, egg generation, and All round well-staying. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual 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 Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)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 main handful of months of the chick’s everyday living are vital. All through this period, chicks demand substantial-protein starter feed to aid fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the proper stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to take in)
Supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Steer clear of giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decreased protein information, generally 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney concerns in young birds.
Intent: Supports continual expansion with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed right up until they start laying, as superior calcium levels can harm building organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and an increased level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for QH88 added calcium.
Tip: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers require a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to help rapid fat gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a wonderful 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: In the event 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 to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed parts depending on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens properly at each everyday living phase guarantees a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less health concerns. With the best diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!