Increasing balanced chickens starts off with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet at each phase of lifestyle is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main couple of weeks of the chick’s lifetime are critical. Through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to assist immediate growth and advancement. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, along with the correct stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for little beaks to try to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Avoid supplying treats too early—starter feed should be their sole diet to make sure well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Outdated)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduced protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Function: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed right until they start laying, as higher calcium concentrations can damage developing organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time 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 extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens want crumbles QH88 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 high-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid fast body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg challenges or coronary heart problems.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply healthier possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly supply clear, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.
Retail store feed thoroughly to stop mildew and pests.
Modify feed parts based upon flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Each and every lifestyle phase assures a thriving flock, improved egg generation, and fewer health concerns. With the best diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!