Hen Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

Hen Feeding Tutorial for Each Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

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Raising healthier chickens commences with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the ideal eating plan at Just about every stage of everyday living is essential for growth, egg generation, and All round perfectly-currently being. Regardless of whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or adult hens, comprehending their altering nutritional desires assists assure a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying yrs.

one. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Previous)
The main couple of weeks of a chick’s everyday living are crucial. Through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to assist immediate growth and advancement. Most starter feeds incorporate eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the ideal equilibrium of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Form: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for small beaks to consume)

Health supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.

Tip: Avoid giving treats too early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet plan to make certain balanced nutrition.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their eating plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit decreased protein information, generally 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium QH88 than layer feed to avoid kidney problems in young birds.

Reason: Supports continual development with out encouraging untimely laying.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.

Idea: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as substantial calcium ranges can hurt building organs.

three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Very first Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to help eggshell development.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for more calcium.

Tip: 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 system is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Power-dense feed to assist immediate bodyweight get.

Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.

Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg troubles or coronary heart complications.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a wonderful nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of every day intake. Provide healthful possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: When your flock eats complete grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.

Last Ideas
Often give clean up, new drinking water—it’s additional essential than feed.

Keep feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.

Modify feed parts based on flock size and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at Every lifestyle phase makes certain a thriving flock, far better egg manufacturing, and fewer health concerns. With the ideal eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!