Elevating healthful chickens begins with appropriate nourishment. Feeding your flock the right diet plan at Each and every phase of daily life is important for progress, egg output, and All round perfectly-remaining. No matter if you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their altering nutritional requirements will help be certain a contented and successful flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The 1st couple months of a chick’s existence are vital. For the duration of this period, chicks require superior-protein starter feed to aid quick development and improvement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, together with the ideal harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Form: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to consume)
Health supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only commercial starter feed.
Tip: Stay away from providing treats also early—starter feed really should be their sole eating plan to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a bit reduced protein material, normally 15–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to stop kidney problems in youthful birds.
Reason: Supports constant development devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until finally they begin laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt producing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a higher standard of calcium to assistance eggshell development.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.
Idea: Some hens desire crumbles over 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 fast fat attain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart challenges.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a wonderful dietary supplement in your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Present balanced options 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 entire grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.
Final Suggestions
Normally supply cleanse, fresh water—it’s much more essential than feed.
Store feed properly to avoid mould QH88 and pests.
Change feed portions according to flock size and age.
Feeding chickens the right way at Each individual lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, superior egg manufacturing, and much less health concerns. With the appropriate diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!