Raising healthful chickens begins with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Each and every phase of daily life is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and In general properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first couple of weeks of the chick’s everyday living are crucial. Through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to guidance immediate growth and advancement. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the ideal balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for small beaks to consume)
Health supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Suggestion: Prevent offering treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole eating plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat lower protein content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in young birds.
Purpose: Supports continuous expansion with no encouraging premature laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Prevent layer feed until finally they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a greater standard of calcium to assistance eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to help swift weight obtain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Tip: Check feed thoroughly—overfeeding can lead to leg difficulties or heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats might be a good nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ eating plan, but they ought to make up not more than ten% of day-to-day consumption. Present nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In QH88 the event your flock eats whole grains or roughage, provide grit to help digestion.
Remaining Strategies
Normally deliver cleanse, contemporary drinking water—it’s a lot more crucial than feed.
Retailer feed correctly to prevent mould and pests.
Change feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!