Boosting healthful chickens begins with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the correct diet plan at Each and every phase of lifetime is essential for growth, egg manufacturing, and General very well-getting. No matter if you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their altering nutritional demands helps guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The very first handful of weeks of a chick’s daily life are essential. All through this era, chicks call for significant-protein starter feed to assist quick progress and progress. Most starter feeds incorporate 18–twenty% protein, along with the correct stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (much easier for small beaks to take in)
Health supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only professional starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid offering treats as well early—starter feed should be their sole diet regime to make certain balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat reduced protein written content, generally 15–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney problems in young birds.
Objective: Supports constant progress without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Prevent layer feed right up until they start laying, as high calcium levels can damage building organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated QH88 feed includes about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding approach differs. Broilers have to have a high-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance quick pounds attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Keep an eye on feed thoroughly—overfeeding may result in leg issues or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they need to make up not more than 10% of day by day consumption. Provide healthy possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats total grains or roughage, offer grit to help digestion.
Last Recommendations
Often present clean, clean h2o—it’s much more critical than feed.
Store feed appropriately to stay away from mould and pests.
Adjust feed portions according to flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each lifestyle stage ensures a flourishing flock, superior egg production, and much less medical issues. With the ideal food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!