Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Guide for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating healthier chickens starts off with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the proper diet program at Every single stage of life is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and General nicely-remaining. Whether you happen to be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their changing nutritional desires helps guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The main couple months of a chick’s existence are vital. All through this era, chicks have to have superior-protein starter feed to aid rapid advancement and development. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, along with the correct balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for tiny beaks to take in)
Health supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from giving treats far too early—starter feed must be their sole diet to be sure well 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 bit decreased protein information, typically fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney problems in younger birds.
Function: Supports constant development without having encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or QH88 pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed until eventually they start laying, as higher calcium levels can damage developing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about sixteen% protein and a better volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to help immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Keep an eye on feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a wonderful supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply healthier selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Closing Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s much more important than feed.
Store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Alter feed portions dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!