Chicken Feeding Information for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Information for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing nutritious chickens commences with good diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Every single phase of lifetime is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall well-staying. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires helps guarantee a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding guide walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Previous)
The 1st few weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. For the duration of this era, chicks involve higher-protein starter feed to assist swift growth and improvement. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, combined with the ideal equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (simpler for small beaks to consume)
Dietary supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from offering treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole eating plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit lower protein content, typically fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as high calcium concentrations can harm 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 includes about sixteen% protein and a better volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, Power-dense feed to assist immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months 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 could be a excellent health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than ten% of day-to-day ingestion. Give balanced options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats whole grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.
Final Tips
Always provide clean up, fresh new h2o—it’s far more critical than feed.
Keep feed effectively to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed portions depending on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each individual everyday living stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the proper diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, QH88 companionship, and perhaps a couple of clucks of appreciation!