Raising healthful chickens begins with suitable diet. Feeding your flock the ideal diet plan at Just about every stage of daily life is essential for advancement, egg generation, and Total properly-getting. No matter if you are increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehension their changing nutritional demands allows make certain a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding information walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying decades.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The initial couple months of the chick’s life are vital. Through this era, chicks have to have significant-protein starter feed to assist swift advancement and development. Most starter feeds include eighteen–twenty% protein, combined with the correct balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for very small beaks to try to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Suggestion: Stay away from supplying treats way too early—starter feed must be their sole diet plan to ensure balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Aged)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little reduce protein information, usually 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney problems in younger birds.
Reason: Supports continuous development with no encouraging premature laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit in the event you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they begin laying, as substantial calcium degrees can damage building organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / Very first Egg)
After your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased amount of calcium to help eggshell development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-option for added calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens QH88 prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or heart troubles.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a excellent health supplement on your chickens’ eating plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of each day consumption. Offer balanced selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Final Recommendations
Often provide cleanse, new drinking water—it’s more critical than feed.
Shop feed adequately to avoid mold and pests.
Alter feed parts dependant on flock dimension and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each existence stage assures a thriving flock, superior egg output, and much less health concerns. With the right diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a handful of clucks of appreciation!