Hen Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the best diet at Every phase of existence is essential for advancement, egg generation, and Total effectively-remaining. Whether you happen to be boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, comprehending their switching nutritional demands helps guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single to their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The initial several months of the chick’s everyday living are vital. All through this era, chicks require higher-protein starter feed to aid speedy advancement and improvement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, along with the ideal stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for very small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Prevent giving treats also early—starter feed should be their sole diet regime to be certain balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Old)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly reduced protein information, ordinarily fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports continuous growth with out encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed right until they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about sixteen% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding method is different. Broilers need a substantial-protein, Electricity-dense feed to aid fast fat get.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Tip: Keep an eye on feed thoroughly—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a wonderful nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of every day consumption. Supply wholesome options 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 complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Ideas
Normally supply clean up, fresh water—it’s much more crucial than feed.
Retailer feed appropriately to stop mildew and pests.
Modify feed portions based on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Every lifestyle phase makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg generation, and fewer health issues. With the QH88 right food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!