Hen Feeding Information for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Information for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens commences with right diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate eating plan at Just about every stage of life is important for growth, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their changing nutritional desires helps guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The main few months of the chick’s everyday living are critical. In the course of this period, chicks need large-protein starter feed to help speedy development and advancement. Most starter feeds have 18–twenty% protein, combined with the correct equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (simpler for very small beaks to try to eat)
Supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only business starter feed.
Idea: Prevent giving treats too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet program to be certain balanced nourishment.
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 Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Outdated)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 reduce protein articles, ordinarily fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney problems in young birds.
Goal: Supports constant expansion without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as higher calcium ranges can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or QH88 pellets.
Dietary supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a higher-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance immediate bodyweight achieve.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed thoroughly—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet program, but they should make up not more than 10% of day by day consumption. Provide healthy selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats entire grains or roughage, deliver grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Guidelines
Always give clean, clean h2o—it’s much more critical than feed.
Store feed appropriately to stay away from mould and pests.
Adjust feed portions determined by flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each and every lifetime phase makes certain a thriving flock, greater egg generation, and less medical issues. With the appropriate eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe several clucks of appreciation!