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 healthful chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at Every single phase of daily life is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and overall perfectly-currently being. No matter if you are increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their changing nutritional requires assists guarantee a contented and successful flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you through what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying several years.

one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary few weeks of a chick’s daily life are critical. For the duration of this era, chicks involve high-protein starter feed to help speedy progress and growth. Most starter feeds consist of 18–20% protein, together with the suitable harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for very small beaks to try to eat)

Dietary supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.

Tip: Avoid offering treats too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet program to ensure balanced nourishment.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little reduce protein written content, generally fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney issues in young birds.

Function: Supports steady progress without the need of encouraging premature laying.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.

Idea: Avoid layer feed till they start laying, as large calcium amounts can harm creating organs.

3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / First Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.

Sort: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for additional calcium.

Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s preference.

4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers require a high-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance fast excess weight acquire.

Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (three weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.

Suggestion: Observe feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart issues.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats can be quite a wonderful complement to the chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up not more than ten% of day-to-day consumption. Provide wholesome choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: When QH88 your flock eats total grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.

Remaining Guidelines
Usually offer clean up, contemporary h2o—it’s much more significant than feed.

Store feed effectively in order to avoid mildew and pests.

Alter feed portions based upon flock sizing and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at Every existence stage ensures a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and fewer health concerns. With the right diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a handful of clucks of appreciation!