Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing healthy chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Each individual phase of daily life is important for expansion, egg manufacturing, and In general properly-becoming. Regardless of whether you are raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional wants can help make certain a happy and successful flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day one particular for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Aged)
The initial several months of the chick’s existence are important. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance speedy expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds include 18–20% protein, along with the proper harmony of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to try to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from providing treats also early—starter feed must be their sole diet regime 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 troubles in younger birds.
Objective: Supports continuous expansion with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Prevent layer feed right up until they start laying, as significant calcium stages can harm producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: QH88 Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a good nutritional supplement for your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of every day intake. Supply healthful possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: 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 Strategies
Often offer thoroughly clean, new h2o—it’s extra vital than feed.
Retail outlet feed adequately in order to avoid mold and pests.
Adjust feed parts determined by flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every life phase assures a thriving flock, superior egg creation, and fewer health concerns. With the best diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!