Boosting balanced chickens starts off with good nourishment. Feeding your flock the right diet program at Just about every stage of lifestyle is important for progress, egg creation, and General well-staying. Irrespective of whether you are elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their altering nutritional desires helps make certain a contented and successful flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The main couple of weeks of a chick’s daily life are important. During this era, chicks have to have significant-protein starter feed to assist quick progress and progress. Most starter feeds consist of 18–twenty% protein, together with the proper equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for little beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from supplying treats also early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet to be sure well balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Previous)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit lessen protein material, generally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney issues in young birds.
Objective: Supports constant expansion without encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Avoid layer feed till they begin laying, as superior calcium concentrations can damage establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initial Egg)
Once your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to assistance eggshell formation.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system differs. Broilers have to have a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to assistance speedy fat achieve.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three weeks to harvest): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Keep track of feed very carefully—overfeeding can result in leg concerns or heart problems.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a fantastic complement for your chickens’ diet plan, but they must make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Supply wholesome solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep QH88 away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats whole grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.
Last Strategies
Often present clean, clean h2o—it’s much more critical than feed.
Store feed effectively to stop mould and pests.
Regulate feed parts based on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Each individual life phase makes sure a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and less medical issues. With the correct diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a few clucks of appreciation!