Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthful chickens starts off with proper nutrition. Feeding your flock the correct diet program at Every single stage of existence is important for advancement, egg creation, and Total well-remaining. Whether or not you might be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, being familiar with their transforming nutritional wants helps make certain a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 for their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Old)
The very first handful of weeks of the chick’s lifestyle are significant. In the course of this period, chicks have to have higher-protein starter feed to assistance rapid expansion and advancement. Most starter feeds contain 18–twenty% protein, along with the appropriate balance of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for little beaks to take in)
Supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Prevent giving treats way too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet plan to be sure well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Old)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit reduce protein information, ordinarily fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Reason: Supports continual progress without having encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed right up QH88 until they start laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
After your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about 16% protein and a greater volume of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor 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 tactic differs. Broilers need a large-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid fast bodyweight achieve.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Observe feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg difficulties or heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats can be a fantastic dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet program, but they should make up not more than 10% of day by day consumption. Provide healthy solutions 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, supply grit to aid digestion.
Ultimate Suggestions
Generally offer cleanse, new drinking water—it’s more critical than feed.
Store feed effectively to stay away from mould and pests.
Adjust feed portions depending on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens properly at Every single everyday living phase makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg output, and less medical issues. With the ideal diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!