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
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Increasing healthy chickens starts with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the right diet regime at Every single phase of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg generation, and General perfectly-currently being. No matter whether you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires assists assure a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person to their golden laying several years.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Previous)
The 1st few months of a chick’s life are essential. During this era, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to aid fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the proper stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to consume)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Avoid giving treats far too early—starter feed ought to be their sole food plan to make sure balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Aged)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decrease protein content, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Intent: Supports continuous development without encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as superior calcium ranges can hurt establishing organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about sixteen% protein and a greater amount of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Give oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for more calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re raising 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 reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a terrific supplement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up QH88 not more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Offer you nutritious selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats entire grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.
Last Ideas
Often supply thoroughly clean, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.
Retailer feed appropriately to stop mildew and pests.
Modify feed parts dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Each and every existence stage ensures a thriving flock, better egg output, and less health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!