Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Elevating healthy chickens starts with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the ideal eating plan at Just about every stage of life is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one particular for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Aged)
The very first several months of a chick’s existence are important. For the duration of this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to guidance immediate growth and growth. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to try to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Avoid giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet regime to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Old)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lessen protein content material, commonly fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Intent: Supports continuous progress without having encouraging premature laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as superior calcium degrees can harm acquiring 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 degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-option for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding approach differs. Broilers need a large-protein, Electrical power-dense feed QH88 to assistance quick weight get.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good supplement to your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than ten% of daily intake. Offer wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats complete grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.
Last Ideas
Often supply thoroughly clean, new water—it’s more important than feed.
Retail store feed thoroughly to stop mildew and pests.
Modify feed portions dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health issues. With the appropriate diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!