Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg generation, and All round well-staying. No matter if you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires will help be certain a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding guide walks you through what to feed your birds from working day a person to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The main couple of weeks of a chick’s everyday living are crucial. All through this era, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to aid fast development and growth. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the correct stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to take in)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Steer clear of giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole eating plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat reduce protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Function: Supports regular growth without encouraging untimely laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially 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 better level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart troubles.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats might be a fantastic dietary supplement on your chickens’ food plan, but they must make up not more than ten% of day by day ingestion. Give healthy choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats entire grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.
Last Suggestions
Usually offer clean, new h2o—it’s extra significant than feed.
Retail outlet feed adequately to QH88 stop mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions based upon flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Every single existence phase makes certain 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!