Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthful chickens commences with appropriate nourishment. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at Each and every stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg generation, and All round well-being. Regardless of whether you're elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional wants allows assure a happy and productive flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Old)
The primary couple months of the chick’s everyday living are vital. All through this period, chicks demand substantial-protein starter feed to guidance immediate advancement and development. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, together with the ideal harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to try to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid offering treats much too early—starter feed need to be their sole diet program to ensure balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Aged)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little lower protein material, generally 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in younger birds.
Objective: Supports regular growth without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed right until they start laying, as high calcium degrees can harm developing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / Very first Egg)
Once your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to help eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for QH88 further calcium.
Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding approach is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to assist swift pounds gain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Idea: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart difficulties.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats generally is a wonderful dietary supplement for your chickens’ food plan, but they need to make up not more than 10% of daily consumption. Give healthier options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats entire grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Often deliver thoroughly clean, contemporary water—it’s far more vital than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.
Alter feed portions based upon flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens properly at Every single lifetime stage assures a thriving flock, far better egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the proper diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!