Hen Feeding Guidebook for every Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

Hen Feeding Guidebook for every Stage: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer

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Elevating healthful chickens begins with appropriate nourishment. Feeding your flock the right food plan at each stage of everyday living is essential for expansion, egg production, and Over-all properly-currently being. Whether you happen to be boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional desires assists guarantee a cheerful and effective flock. This rooster feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one to their golden laying many years.

1. Starter Feed (0–six Months Outdated)
The main couple of weeks of the chick’s lifestyle are vital. All through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to help fast advancement and growth. Most starter feeds have eighteen–20% protein, combined with the right harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for very small beaks to try to eat)

Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only commercial starter feed.

Tip: Keep away from supplying treats too early—starter feed must be their sole diet plan to guarantee balanced diet.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little lessen protein material, ordinarily 15–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney concerns in younger birds.

Reason: Supports constant advancement with out encouraging premature laying.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.

Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as superior calcium concentrations can damage building organs.

three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 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 better level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells free of charge-choice for excess calcium.

Tip: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—notice your flock’s preference.

four. QH88 Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers need a substantial-protein, Electrical power-dense feed to assistance speedy body weight attain.

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

Finisher (three months to reap): 18–20% protein.

Tip: Keep track of feed very carefully—overfeeding can cause leg troubles or heart challenges.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats is usually a excellent dietary supplement in your chickens’ diet plan, but they should make up not more than 10% of day by day intake. Give healthier alternatives like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: In the event your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.

Ultimate Suggestions
Constantly give clean, clean drinking water—it’s extra essential than feed.

Keep feed thoroughly to avoid mold and pests.

Adjust feed portions depending on flock dimensions and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at Every existence stage ensures a flourishing flock, superior egg generation, and less health problems. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!