Increasing healthy chickens starts with good diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Every phase of existence is important for progress, egg production, and Over-all effectively-being. Irrespective of whether you happen to be boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional requirements will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from day a single for their golden laying years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The very first several months of the chick’s lifestyle are important. Throughout this period, chicks call for superior-protein starter feed to assistance fast progress and enhancement. 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 eat)
Supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Tip: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet regime to be sure balanced nutrition.
two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decreased protein information, generally 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney problems in young birds.
Reason: Supports constant development with out encouraging untimely laying.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed until they begin laying, as large calcium levels can damage creating organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / First Egg)
The moment your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next degree of calcium to aid eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-option for extra calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles 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 QH88 have to have a high-protein, Vitality-dense feed to aid fast fat attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a excellent health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up not more than ten% of day by day ingestion. Offer healthy choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats whole grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.
Remaining Tips
Normally deliver clean up, contemporary drinking water—it’s a lot more crucial than feed.
Shop feed correctly to avoid mould and pests.
Alter feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at Every single existence stage makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health concerns. With the appropriate diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!