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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Raising wholesome chickens begins with appropriate diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate eating plan at Just about every phase of daily life is important for development, egg output, and All round perfectly-getting. Regardless of whether you happen to be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, understanding their modifying nutritional desires helps make certain a happy and productive flock. This chicken feeding guide walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a person for their golden laying yrs.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Previous)
The initial handful of weeks of the chick’s daily life are essential. All through this period, chicks require high-protein starter feed to aid swift development and development. Most starter feeds comprise 18–20% protein, along with the ideal stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for small beaks to take in)
Dietary supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid providing treats way too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet regime to be certain well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Outdated)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit reduce protein written content, typically fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney concerns in QH88 young birds.
Purpose: Supports steady growth without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed until they begin laying, as large calcium levels can damage creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed contains about 16% protein and the next degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens want crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding method is different. Broilers require a large-protein, Electricity-dense feed to aid fast bodyweight obtain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): 18–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep an eye on feed thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg difficulties or coronary heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats might be a good nutritional supplement to the chickens’ diet program, but they should make up no more than ten% of day-to-day ingestion. Present healthful choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Final Guidelines
Normally supply cleanse, fresh water—it’s a lot more significant than feed.
Retail store feed correctly to prevent mold and pests.
Modify feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each life phase makes certain a flourishing flock, greater egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the right diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!