Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthy chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at each phase of existence is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult 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 day a person to their golden laying years.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The initial couple of months of the chick’s everyday living are essential. In the course of this era, chicks call for significant-protein starter feed to support speedy expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain 18–twenty% protein, together with the appropriate balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for very small beaks to take in)
Supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Steer clear of providing treats way too early—starter feed should be their sole diet regime to be sure balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lower protein written content, ordinarily 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 superior calcium stages 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 is made up of about 16% protein and a better amount of calcium to assistance eggshell development.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 QH88 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Observe feed diligently—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats can be quite a wonderful dietary supplement to your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Provide healthful options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats total grains or roughage, supply grit to help digestion.
Remaining Ideas
Generally offer clean, refreshing drinking water—it’s a lot more vital than feed.
Store feed effectively to stop mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, much better egg production, and less health problems. With the appropriate eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!