Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthier chickens starts with appropriate nutrition. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Just about every stage of everyday living is important for expansion, egg creation, and All round effectively-being. Whether or not you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional requirements can help make sure a cheerful and successful flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you thru what to feed your birds from day one to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Outdated)
The main few weeks of the chick’s lifestyle are vital. All through this era, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to guidance rapid growth and advancement. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, along with the right balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for small beaks to eat)
Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.
Idea: Prevent giving treats too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet plan to guarantee well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Outdated)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit reduce protein information, usually 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney problems in young birds.
Reason: Supports continuous development with no encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Stay clear of layer feed until they begin laying, as superior calcium concentrations can damage producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months QH88 / Very first Egg)
When 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.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to assistance speedy pounds acquire.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good health supplement on your chickens’ eating plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of day-to-day intake. Offer nutritious solutions 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, supply grit to help digestion.
Ultimate Suggestions
Normally give clean, contemporary water—it’s far more essential than feed.
Retail outlet feed effectively to stay away from mould and pests.
Regulate feed portions depending on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each and every lifetime phase makes sure a flourishing flock, better egg production, and much less health concerns. With the ideal food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!