Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthier chickens starts off with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the right diet plan at Every phase of lifestyle is important for expansion, egg generation, and Total nicely-becoming. Regardless of whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, being familiar with their shifting nutritional requirements can help ensure a happy and effective flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Old)
The primary several months of a chick’s lifetime are critical. For the duration of this period, chicks call for significant-protein starter feed to aid immediate growth and improvement. Most starter feeds include 18–twenty% protein, combined with the appropriate balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid providing treats much too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet to be sure well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Old)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduced protein articles, commonly fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney difficulties in youthful birds.
Objective: Supports constant expansion without encouraging untimely laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay clear of layer feed until they begin laying, as high calcium ranges can hurt acquiring organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initial Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and an increased amount of calcium to support eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for more calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s QH88 preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding approach differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Vitality-dense feed to assist swift body weight attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): 18–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed diligently—overfeeding may lead to leg difficulties or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a great nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ eating plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of each day consumption. Provide healthy solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats whole grains or roughage, present grit to aid digestion.
Closing Ideas
Always give clean up, fresh water—it’s a lot more significant than feed.
Store feed correctly in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Change feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each existence stage guarantees a thriving flock, better egg production, and much less medical issues. With the appropriate food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe several clucks of appreciation!