Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing nutritious chickens begins with right diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for expansion, egg creation, and overall perfectly-staying. Whether you happen to be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their changing nutritional requires aids make certain a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one for their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The 1st couple of weeks of a chick’s existence are important. In the course of this period, chicks involve large-protein starter feed to guidance swift expansion and progress. Most starter feeds consist of 18–twenty% protein, along with the correct equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for little beaks to consume)
Supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only professional starter feed.
Tip: Steer clear of giving treats much too early—starter feed should be their sole diet to guarantee balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Aged)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduce protein information, typically 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney problems in young birds.
Function: Supports continual advancement without having encouraging premature laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Keep away from layer feed right up until they start laying, as higher calcium levels can damage establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
After your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and an increased amount of calcium to help eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for excess calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg issues or heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a good nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ eating plan, but they need to make up not more than 10% of every day ingestion. Supply wholesome options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats total grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Closing Ideas
Always give clean, clean drinking water—it’s extra crucial than feed.
Retail store feed effectively in order to avoid mould and pests.
Adjust feed portions determined by flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens properly at Each individual lifestyle stage assures a thriving QH88 flock, far better egg creation, and less health problems. With the proper diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!