Boosting balanced chickens starts off with right diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Every phase of existence is important for progress, egg manufacturing, and Over-all effectively-being. Whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main couple of weeks of the chick’s daily life are vital. Through this era, chicks need large-protein starter feed to guidance rapid development and advancement. Most starter feeds incorporate eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the ideal equilibrium of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for small beaks to consume)
Health supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Prevent offering treats far too early—starter feed really should 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 circumvent kidney troubles in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually QH88 they start laying, as superior calcium stages can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially 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 guidance eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid bodyweight attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Observe 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 to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday ingestion. Offer wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats entire grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.
Final Suggestions
Usually offer clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional significant than feed.
Keep feed appropriately in order to avoid mold and pests.
Adjust feed parts determined by flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens properly at each everyday living phase guarantees a flourishing flock, superior egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the correct diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!