Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Elevating healthy chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of daily life is important for expansion, egg manufacturing, and In general properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional requirements will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The very first number of months of the chick’s everyday living are significant. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance quick advancement and development. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, combined with the suitable equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (simpler for small beaks to consume)
Dietary supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Prevent offering treats far too early—starter feed need to be their sole food plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney issues in youthful birds.
Function: Supports constant development without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as large calcium levels can hurt building organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Very first Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a higher standard of calcium to assistance eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to help immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific nutritional supplement to the chickens’ diet program, but they must make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Provide nutritious alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats entire grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Closing QH88 Guidelines
Constantly give clear, clean water—it’s much more essential than feed.
Shop feed properly to avoid mould and pests.
Alter feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Just about every daily life stage makes sure a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the right food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!