Chicken Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Elevating balanced chickens starts off with right diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program 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 adult hens, understanding their transforming nutritional requirements can help make sure 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 lifestyle are essential. All through this era, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to aid fast development and growth. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to try to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Stay clear of supplying treats much too early—starter feed need to be their sole food plan to ensure 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 reduced protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or QH88 pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed right until 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 first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and a better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over 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 assist immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Tip: Monitor feed carefully—overfeeding can lead to leg issues or coronary heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats is usually a great nutritional supplement to the chickens’ diet plan, but they must make up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Offer healthier options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats total grains or roughage, provide grit to aid digestion.
Last Guidelines
Generally provide thoroughly clean, clean drinking water—it’s additional important than feed.
Shop feed effectively in order to avoid mold and pests.
Modify feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Each and every daily life stage ensures a flourishing flock, superior egg creation, and fewer health concerns. With the proper eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!