Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Boosting healthful chickens begins with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the ideal eating plan at Each and every phase of daily life is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional requirements allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. In the course of this period, chicks have to have high-protein starter feed to help quick advancement and development. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, combined with the appropriate harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from providing treats way too early—starter feed must be their sole eating plan to guarantee well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lower protein written content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady expansion devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as high calcium degrees can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles more than pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid speedy body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg issues or heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats generally is a terrific supplement for your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of everyday consumption. Offer you healthier selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, QH88 or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s much more important than feed.
Store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Modify feed parts dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Each and every lifestyle phase makes certain a thriving flock, improved egg generation, and fewer health concerns. With the appropriate diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!