Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guidebook for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Increasing nutritious chickens begins with appropriate nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet at each phase of existence is important for progress, egg production, and In general effectively-being. Whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. In the course of this era, chicks involve higher-protein starter feed to assist swift growth 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)
Dietary supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Prevent offering treats far too early—starter feed need to be their sole diet to be sure well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, typically fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Type: Crumbles or QH88 pellets.
Supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed until they begin laying, as higher calcium concentrations can damage creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / First Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to support eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a high-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid fast fat gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg issues or heart difficulties.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a great complement to the chickens’ eating plan, but they must make up not more than ten% of each day ingestion. Present balanced options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats whole grains or roughage, provide grit to aid digestion.
Remaining Strategies
Always deliver clean up, fresh new drinking water—it’s far more critical than feed.
Retailer feed effectively to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at each life phase makes sure a flourishing flock, greater egg generation, and less health problems. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!