Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthful chickens begins with appropriate nourishment. Feeding your flock the right diet at Every phase of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg generation, and Total nicely-staying. No matter if you're raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their altering nutritional desires assists guarantee a contented and successful flock. This rooster feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from day one particular to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Old)
The first couple of months of a chick’s existence are essential. For the duration of this period, chicks require superior-protein starter feed to guidance swift expansion and advancement. Most starter feeds contain 18–twenty% protein, together with the right stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Keep away from providing treats far too early—starter feed needs to be their sole food plan to make certain balanced diet.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Aged)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit reduced protein written content, usually 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney problems in younger birds.
Function: Supports continual expansion without encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Steer clear of layer feed till they begin laying, as superior calcium concentrations can damage establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next standard of calcium to assist eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding approach differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy body weight attain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed QH88 thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg issues or heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats generally is a good nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet, but they must make up no more than ten% of day by day consumption. Offer you healthier alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats entire grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Final Recommendations
Often deliver thoroughly clean, fresh new water—it’s a lot more vital than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.
Alter feed portions based upon flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Just about every life phase makes sure a flourishing flock, greater egg generation, and less health problems. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!