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
Blog Article
Raising balanced chickens starts off with suitable nourishment. Feeding your flock the ideal diet regime at Each and every phase of life is essential for expansion, egg production, and All round very well-being. Irrespective of whether you're raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their switching nutritional needs helps make sure a happy and productive flock. This chicken feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The very first handful of weeks of the chick’s everyday living are critical. During this era, chicks require high-protein starter feed to support immediate progress and improvement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, combined with the appropriate stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for tiny beaks to try to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Keep away from offering treats much too early—starter feed should be their sole diet program to be sure balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decreased protein written content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Keep away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as large calcium degrees can hurt establishing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / First Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to aid eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for extra calcium.
Tip: Some hens like crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding QH88 approach differs. Broilers need a large-protein, Electrical power-dense feed to assistance quick weight obtain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed diligently—overfeeding can lead to leg concerns or heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats can be a excellent nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of every day intake. Provide healthful alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats complete grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.
Last Ideas
Often supply thoroughly clean, new water—it’s more vital than feed.
Retail store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Modify feed parts dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!