Boosting healthful chickens starts off with good diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate eating plan at Each individual stage of lifetime is essential for progress, egg production, and Over-all nicely-staying. No matter whether you might be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, comprehension their changing nutritional demands allows make sure a happy and productive flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person for their golden laying several years.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Outdated)
The main couple of months of the chick’s lifetime are significant. In the course of this period, chicks have to have significant-protein starter feed to guidance quick progress and progress. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, together with the appropriate balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Type: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Avoid offering treats as well early—starter feed need to be their sole diet regime to be certain well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (6–18 Weeks Previous)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little reduce protein information, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to avoid kidney troubles in younger birds.
Function: Supports continual advancement with out encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as higher calcium levels can hurt building organs.
three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about sixteen% protein and a greater degree of calcium to assistance eggshell development.
Variety: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-option for additional calcium.
Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers need a substantial-protein, energy-dense feed to assistance speedy body weight attain.
Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): eighteen–20% protein.
Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or heart difficulties.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats might be a terrific supplement for your chickens’ diet, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Present healthier QH88 choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Guidelines
Usually present clean, contemporary water—it’s a lot more vital than feed.
Shop feed adequately to avoid mold and pests.
Alter feed portions depending on flock dimensions and age.
Feeding chickens correctly at Each and every daily life stage assures a thriving flock, far better egg creation, and fewer health problems. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!