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 nutritious chickens starts off with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at each phase of lifestyle is important for development, egg production, and Over-all nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional requires aids ensure a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The 1st couple of weeks of a chick’s lifetime are critical. For the duration of this era, chicks involve higher-protein starter feed to assist swift growth and improvement. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, combined with the suitable equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Tip: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed must be their sole diet regime to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit lessen protein information, typically 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to stop kidney problems in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports constant development without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed until they begin laying, as large calcium levels can damage creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / First Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid bodyweight get.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed diligently—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and QH88 Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a excellent health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up not more than ten% of day by day ingestion. Offer healthy choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats entire grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.
Final Tips
Normally deliver clean up, contemporary drinking water—it’s a lot more crucial than feed.
Retailer feed correctly to avoid mould and pests.
Change feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Just about every daily life stage makes sure 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 some clucks of appreciation!