Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Boosting nutritious chickens starts off with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the proper food plan at Each individual phase of daily life is important for development, egg generation, and Total very well-remaining. No matter whether you're raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional requirements will help guarantee a cheerful and effective flock. This hen feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from day a single to their golden laying many years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Previous)
The 1st several weeks of the chick’s lifetime are vital. In the course of this period, chicks need large-protein starter feed to help speedy progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, combined with the right harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (much easier for tiny beaks to consume)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unneeded if feeding only business starter feed.
Idea: Avoid providing treats too early—starter feed must be their sole food plan to make sure balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Outdated)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally decrease protein information, ordinarily 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney issues in youthful birds.
Purpose: Supports continuous expansion without having encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed until eventually they start laying, as significant calcium stages can damage creating organs.
3. 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 consists of about 16% protein and an increased amount of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers need a higher-protein, Vitality-dense feed to help fast excess weight attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to harvest): eighteen–20% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats is usually a great nutritional supplement on your chickens’ diet plan, but they should make up no more than 10% of daily intake. Provide wholesome alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: Should your flock eats complete grains or QH88 roughage, supply grit to assist digestion.
Final Guidelines
Always offer clear, fresh new h2o—it’s much more crucial than feed.
Retail outlet feed properly to avoid mold and pests.
Modify feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each everyday living phase guarantees a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the correct diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a couple of clucks of appreciation!