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
Raising healthier chickens commences with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of daily life is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Whether or not you might be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The main couple of weeks of a chick’s lifetime are critical. Throughout this era, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to support fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the correct stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to try to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Stay clear of supplying treats much too early—starter feed need to be their sole diet to ensure well balanced nourishment.
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, typically fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Goal: Supports steady advancement without encouraging untimely laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed until they start laying, as higher calcium concentrations can damage developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial 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 assist eggshell QH88 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)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, Power-dense feed to assist immediate excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Tip: Check feed meticulously—overfeeding may result in leg troubles or heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement for your chickens’ diet plan, but they must make up no more than ten% of day-to-day intake. Present healthier alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Last Recommendations
Usually present clean, clean h2o—it’s more critical than feed.
Retail store feed correctly in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Change feed parts dependant on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single everyday living phase makes sure a flourishing flock, superior egg output, and less medical issues. With the best diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!