Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating healthful chickens begins with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at Every phase of daily life is important for progress, egg production, and In general properly-being. Whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their changing nutritional wants can help make sure a happy and effective flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The main few months of the chick’s lifetime are important. During this era, chicks have to have superior-protein starter feed to aid swift expansion and growth. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, along with the ideal harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (much easier for small beaks to take in)
Health supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Prevent giving treats far too early—starter feed should be their sole diet program to guarantee 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 somewhat lower protein content, typically fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports continuous expansion with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Prevent layer feed right up until they start laying, as significant calcium amounts can harm producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater standard of calcium to help eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to support rapid excess weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg challenges QH88 or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a good supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday intake. Supply healthful possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats total grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Final Suggestions
Usually offer clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional critical than feed.
Keep feed effectively to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed parts depending on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the right food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!