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
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Elevating healthful chickens starts off with correct nutrition. Feeding your flock the appropriate food plan at Every phase of life is important for expansion, egg creation, and All round nicely-becoming. Regardless of whether you're increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, being familiar with their transforming nutritional wants helps assure a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–six Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. In the course of this period, chicks demand substantial-protein starter feed to guidance immediate growth and improvement. Most starter feeds have 18–twenty% protein, along with the correct balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Sort: Crumbles or mash (much easier for little beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is avoidable if feeding only business starter feed.
Tip: Avoid offering treats also early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet to guarantee well balanced nutrition.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Old)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly decrease protein written content, usually 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to stop kidney difficulties in youthful birds.
Purpose: Supports regular progress devoid of encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.
Idea: Steer QH88 clear of layer feed until finally they start laying, as higher calcium ranges can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Very first Egg)
When your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about 16% protein and the next standard of calcium to assist eggshell formation.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens like crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
For those who’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic is different. Broilers need a significant-protein, Power-dense feed to guidance fast fat gain.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (three months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Suggestion: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart complications.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats generally is a terrific supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they must make up not more than 10% of day by day consumption. Supply wholesome options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Avoid: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, present grit to aid digestion.
Remaining Guidelines
Usually present thoroughly clean, fresh new water—it’s far more important than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly in order to avoid mildew and pests.
Regulate feed parts according to flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens effectively at each existence stage assures a thriving flock, greater egg generation, and less medical issues. With the ideal diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps some clucks of appreciation!