Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising balanced chickens starts off with right diet. Feeding your flock the best diet at Every stage of life is essential for growth, egg generation, and All round well-currently being. No matter whether you're elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional wants allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day one particular for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Aged)
The very first number of months of the chick’s lifestyle are vital. All through this period, chicks need significant-protein starter feed to guidance quick advancement and improvement. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, combined with the appropriate harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Tip: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Months Aged)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decrease protein articles, normally 15–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney issues in youthful birds.
Function: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed until they begin laying, as higher calcium concentrations can damage creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / First Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, Power-dense feed to assist immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed thoroughly—overfeeding can lead to leg problems or heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats could be a wonderful health supplement towards 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.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats entire grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.
Final Suggestions
Usually provide clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional critical than feed.
Keep feed effectively to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and less health problems. With the right eating plan, your birds will reward you with QH88 eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!