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
Elevating healthy chickens starts with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at Every phase of lifestyle is essential for development, egg generation, and All round perfectly-getting. No matter if you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their shifting nutritional requires assists guarantee a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day just one for their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The 1st several weeks of the chick’s everyday living are significant. Throughout this era, chicks have to have higher-protein starter feed to help quick progress and improvement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, together with the suitable stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for very small beaks to try to eat)
Supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay clear of providing treats far too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet to be sure balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Old)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit lower protein content, generally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney concerns in young birds.
Purpose: Supports regular progress devoid of encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: QH88 Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed until eventually they start laying, as substantial calcium stages can damage building organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for extra calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system differs. Broilers need a higher-protein, Strength-dense feed to support speedy body weight attain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed diligently—overfeeding can lead to leg issues or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats is usually a wonderful health supplement on your chickens’ diet program, but they should make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Offer you healthy selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Often deliver thoroughly clean, contemporary h2o—it’s a lot more significant than feed.
Store feed appropriately to stay away from mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Each individual life phase makes sure a flourishing flock, greater egg generation, and less medical issues. With the best diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!