Chicken Feeding Information for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Information for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting wholesome chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the proper diet at each stage of life is essential for growth, egg output, and Total well-staying. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their changing nutritional demands helps 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 a long time.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are important. Throughout this period, chicks have to have superior-protein starter feed to assistance quick expansion and development. Most starter feeds include 18–20% protein, along with the suitable equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (simpler for small beaks to consume)
Dietary supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Prevent offering treats far too early—starter feed really should be their sole food plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat reduce protein content, typically fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as high calcium degrees can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a QH88 superior-protein, Power-dense feed to guidance rapid bodyweight attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart complications.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a wonderful nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of day by day consumption. Offer you nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.
Retail store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg output, and less health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!