Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Guideline for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Raising healthy chickens commences with right nutrition. Feeding your flock the best eating plan at each phase of daily life is essential for development, egg creation, and General effectively-being. No matter whether you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their modifying nutritional requires can help assure a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying years.
one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The initial couple months of the chick’s lifestyle are critical. For the duration of this period, chicks call for large-protein starter feed to assistance speedy growth and progress. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, together with the appropriate balance of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Prevent giving treats far too early—starter feed needs to be their sole food plan to make certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally decreased protein information, commonly 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to stop kidney challenges in youthful birds.
Purpose: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Steer clear of layer feed until they start laying, as higher calcium concentrations can damage establishing organs.
3. QH88 Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and a better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s choice.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers have to have a high-protein, Power-dense feed to assist immediate fat get.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed cautiously—overfeeding can result in leg problems or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a good nutritional supplement to your chickens’ food plan, but they must make up no more than 10% of daily ingestion. Offer you healthier alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: When your flock eats whole grains or roughage, supply grit to help digestion.
Final Guidelines
Always supply cleanse, fresh water—it’s a lot more vital than feed.
Store feed effectively to stop mildew and pests.
Regulate feed parts dependant on flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every single lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, greater egg creation, and fewer health issues. With the right food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!