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
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Boosting wholesome chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate food plan at each phase of daily life is essential for advancement, egg generation, and All round effectively-becoming. Regardless of whether you're raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their modifying nutritional requirements will help guarantee a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from day a person for their golden laying a long time.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Old)
The primary few months of the chick’s lifestyle are important. In the course of this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to aid immediate expansion and progress. Most starter feeds comprise 18–20% protein, together with the appropriate stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for tiny beaks to take in)
Health supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Prevent providing treats too early—starter feed need to be their sole eating plan to be sure well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Old)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally decreased protein content, generally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to stop kidney problems in youthful birds.
Intent: Supports continuous growth without having encouraging premature laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Prevent layer feed right QH88 until they begin laying, as substantial calcium amounts can harm creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initially Egg)
After your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a better degree of calcium to support eggshell formation.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to help swift excess weight obtain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats might be a great complement for your chickens’ diet program, but they should make up not more than 10% of day by day consumption. Supply wholesome options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: 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.
Ultimate Suggestions
Generally offer cleanse, new drinking water—it’s extra crucial than feed.
Retail outlet feed correctly in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Regulate feed parts according to flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each and every lifetime phase makes certain a flourishing flock, greater egg generation, and much less health concerns. With the right diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!