Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guide for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Boosting wholesome chickens starts with proper diet. Feeding your flock the best diet regime at Each and every phase of daily life is essential for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their switching nutritional wants allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The initial couple months of a chick’s existence are important. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance speedy growth and progress. Most starter feeds incorporate 18–twenty% protein, along with the suitable stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to try to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Idea: Avoid giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to ensure well balanced diet.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lower protein content material, normally 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney issues in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports constant development with out encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Keep away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as substantial calcium amounts can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to help eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. QH88 Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers require a high-protein, Vitality-dense feed to aid fast fat gain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg issues or coronary heart problems.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a good health supplement to the chickens’ diet plan, but they should make up not more than 10% of every day ingestion. Present nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats entire grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Usually present clean, clean h2o—it’s more crucial than feed.
Retail store feed properly to prevent mildew and pests.
Change feed parts based on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each and every lifetime phase makes certain a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and much less medical issues. With the appropriate diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe several clucks of appreciation!