Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthier chickens starts off with right diet. Feeding your flock the ideal food plan at Every phase of daily life is essential for advancement, egg creation, and General well-remaining. Whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a happy and effective flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The primary several weeks of a chick’s life are critical. During this era, chicks call for large-protein starter feed to help speedy progress and advancement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, together with the appropriate balance of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (much easier for tiny beaks to try to eat)
Supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only professional starter feed.
Tip: Prevent giving treats way too early—starter feed should be their sole diet program to be certain balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit reduce protein material, commonly fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney troubles in younger birds.
Function: Supports constant progress without having encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as high calcium levels can damage building 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 sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to help eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-option for additional calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers have to have a large-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support rapid bodyweight achieve.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to harvest): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg challenges or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats could be a excellent dietary supplement on your chickens’ eating plan, but they need to make up not more than ten% of daily consumption. Offer healthier choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats total grains or roughage, offer grit to assist digestion.
Final Recommendations
Usually supply cleanse, fresh water—it’s much more crucial than feed.
Retail outlet feed thoroughly to stay QH88 away from mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts based on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single lifetime stage guarantees a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and less health problems. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!