Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Manual for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting wholesome chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of daily life is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall nicely-currently being. No matter whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of months of the chick’s life are vital. All through this era, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to guidance rapid development and growth. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the suitable stability of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (simpler for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from offering treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole eating 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 prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports regular advancement without the need of encouraging premature laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional 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 / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to QH88 help eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe 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, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.
Starter (0–3 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, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good nutritional supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply nutritious possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats whole grains or roughage, provide grit to help digestion.
Remaining Strategies
Normally deliver clean up, fresh new drinking water—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 correct diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!