Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Raising healthy chickens starts with correct diet. Feeding your flock the correct diet plan at each stage of daily life is important for advancement, egg manufacturing, and overall very well-becoming. Regardless of whether you happen to be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, being familiar with their altering nutritional desires aids ensure a happy and successful flock. This chicken feeding guide walks you through what to feed your birds from working day a single to their golden laying several years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Old)
The very first handful of weeks of the chick’s daily life are essential. For the duration of this period, chicks involve substantial-protein starter feed to help speedy development and improvement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, together with the right equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (much easier for little beaks to consume)
Dietary supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.
Tip: Avoid offering treats way too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet to be certain balanced diet.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decreased protein content material, commonly fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney concerns in younger birds.
Reason: Supports continuous growth with out encouraging premature laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay clear of layer feed till they start laying, as high calcium ranges can harm developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / To start with Egg)
Once your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a better degree of calcium to support eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to assistance quick pounds acquire.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Tip: Keep track of feed very carefully—overfeeding can cause leg troubles or heart issues.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet, but they must make up no more than 10% of every day consumption. Offer healthier options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats total grains or roughage, supply grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Suggestions
Constantly provide thoroughly clean, contemporary drinking water—it’s extra important than feed.
Retailer feed adequately to avoid mold and pests.
Modify feed portions according to flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Each individual everyday living phase makes certain a QH88 thriving flock, much better egg production, and much less medical issues. With the best diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!