Increasing wholesome chickens begins with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the appropriate eating plan at Just about every stage of everyday living is essential for growth, egg generation, and All round well-staying. No matter if you are increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The initial couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. Throughout this period, chicks have to have high-protein starter feed to assistance quick advancement and improvement. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, combined with the appropriate harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet program to guarantee well balanced nourishment.
two. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Old)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit lessen protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Function: Supports regular growth without encouraging untimely laying.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as large calcium levels can hurt building organs.
three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Very first Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a greater standard of calcium to help eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart issues.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific supplement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Offer you nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or QH88 fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In the event your flock eats full grains or roughage, provide grit to help digestion.
Remaining Strategies
Normally deliver cleanse, contemporary drinking water—it’s a lot more important than feed.
Shop feed properly to avoid mould and pests.
Alter feed portions based on flock sizing and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and much less health problems. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a couple of clucks of appreciation!