Hen Feeding Tutorial for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Tutorial for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Blog Article
Elevating healthful chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at each phase of existence is important for progress, egg production, and Over-all effectively-being. Whether you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying decades.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of months of the chick’s everyday living are crucial. All through this period, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to aid fast development and growth. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to try to eat)
Health supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only professional starter feed.
Idea: Stay clear of supplying treats much too early—starter feed should be their sole diet to ensure well balanced nourishment.
2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney challenges in younger birds.
Goal: Supports steady advancement without the need of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Avoid layer feed right until they start laying, as QH88 high calcium degrees can harm developing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid bodyweight attain.
Starter (0–three weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart complications.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a wonderful nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet program, but they need to make up no more than 10% of everyday intake. Supply healthier possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.
Store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.
Modify feed portions dependant on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens accurately at Every single existence phase makes certain a thriving flock, better egg generation, and less health issues. With the appropriate diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!