Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising wholesome chickens commences with right diet. Feeding your flock the ideal diet plan at Each and every stage of life is important for expansion, egg creation, and General well-remaining. Regardless of whether you might be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their modifying nutritional needs will help make sure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Aged)
The initial several months of the chick’s everyday living are significant. Throughout this era, chicks involve significant-protein starter feed to assist speedy development and development. Most starter feeds include eighteen–twenty% protein, combined with the correct equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Avoid offering treats also early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet to guarantee balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Previous)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their food plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decrease protein content, usually 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Intent: Supports steady growth without having encouraging premature laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Avoid layer feed till they start laying, as high calcium levels can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to support eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for added calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those QH88 who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a large-protein, Strength-dense feed to guidance rapid excess weight achieve.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of daily consumption. Offer nutritious choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats entire grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Often provide thoroughly clean, fresh new water—it’s far more important than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.
Modify feed portions according to flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single lifetime stage guarantees a flourishing flock, improved egg production, and much less health concerns. With the right diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a handful of clucks of appreciation!