Hen Feeding Manual for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
Hen Feeding Manual for every Phase: What to Feed Your Flock from Chick to Layer
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Boosting balanced chickens starts off with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper food plan at Each individual stage of life is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day just one to their golden laying a long time.
one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary few weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. In the course of this era, chicks have to have high-protein starter feed to help immediate advancement and improvement. Most starter feeds have 18–20% protein, combined with the suitable equilibrium of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Variety: Crumbles or mash (simpler for tiny beaks to eat)
Dietary supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Suggestion: Keep away from offering treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole eating plan to guarantee well balanced diet.
2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Months Old)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly lower protein written content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney difficulties in younger birds.
Objective: Supports steady advancement devoid of encouraging premature laying.
Form: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as superior calcium degrees can harm acquiring organs.
3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and a better level of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.
Kind: Crumbles or pellets.
Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.
Tip: Some hens desire crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s desire.
four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy body weight gain.
Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.
Finisher (3 months to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.
Idea: Keep track of feed meticulously—overfeeding may result in leg issues or heart difficulties.
5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats generally is a great complement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they must make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply healthier possibilities like leafy greens, QH88 oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, give grit to assist digestion.
Ultimate Guidelines
Often supply thoroughly clean, new water—it’s more vital than feed.
Retail outlet feed adequately to stop mildew and pests.
Adjust feed parts determined by flock measurement and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Every life phase guarantees a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the best diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a handful of clucks of appreciation!