Chicken Feeding Tutorial for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Chicken Feeding Tutorial for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting wholesome chickens starts with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg creation, and overall very well-getting. Regardless of whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional wants allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you through what to feed your birds from day one particular for their golden laying many years.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of months of the chick’s life are vital. All through this period, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to support fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the correct stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for tiny beaks to eat)
Supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from providing treats way too early—starter feed must be their sole eating plan to guarantee well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little lower protein content, typically fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as superior calcium degrees can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time QH88 to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers have to have a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to aid fast fat attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific supplement for your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Offer you nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats full grains or roughage, deliver grit to aid digestion.
Remaining Tips
Always deliver clean up, fresh new h2o—it’s far more critical than feed.
Keep feed effectively to prevent mold and pests.
Regulate feed parts depending on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at each everyday living stage guarantees a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the right diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a few clucks of appreciation!