Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthier chickens commences with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the ideal eating plan at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg creation, and overall very well-getting. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional requirements can help make sure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The very first number of months of the chick’s lifestyle are essential. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance speedy expansion and development. Most starter feeds include 18–20% protein, along with the appropriate harmony of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
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.
2. Grower Feed (6–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–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed right until they start laying, as high calcium degrees can damage developing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing QH88 chickens for meat, your feeding strategy 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.
Tip: Keep an eye on feed diligently—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart challenges.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats can 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.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats whole grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.
Final Strategies
Normally deliver clean up, contemporary drinking water—it’s far more critical than feed.
Retailer feed effectively to prevent mould and pests.
Change feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each individual lifetime stage makes sure a flourishing flock, much better egg production, and less health problems. With the right eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!