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
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Elevating healthy chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Every single phase of lifetime is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and In general effectively-being. Irrespective of whether you're elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, understanding their modifying nutritional desires allows ensure a happy and productive flock. This chicken feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Old)
The very first couple of months of the chick’s daily life are essential. For the duration of this period, chicks require high-protein starter feed to aid swift expansion and advancement. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, together with the appropriate stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for very small beaks to consume)
Supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Steer clear of offering treats too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet plan to guarantee well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little lessen protein content material, generally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to stop kidney troubles in younger birds.
Goal: Supports constant progress with no encouraging premature laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Avoid layer feed right until they start laying, as large calcium ranges can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about sixteen% protein and a QH88 better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding approach is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to assistance speedy body weight get.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Keep track of feed very carefully—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart problems.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats can be quite a excellent dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet plan, but they must make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Offer you wholesome solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Last Recommendations
Usually present clean, refreshing drinking water—it’s extra essential than feed.
Retail outlet feed properly to prevent mold and pests.
Modify feed portions determined by flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Every existence stage ensures a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and less medical issues. With the best diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!