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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Boosting healthier chickens begins with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of daily life is important for expansion, egg manufacturing, and In general properly-becoming. Whether or not you happen to be raising chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional requirements can help make sure a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guide walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day one for their golden laying a long time.
1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Old)
The very first handful of weeks of the chick’s life are crucial. Throughout this era, chicks involve high-protein starter feed to support rapid advancement and development. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, together with the appropriate balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Kind: Crumbles or mash (simpler for very small beaks to eat)
Nutritional supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only industrial starter feed.
Idea: Keep away from giving treats way too early—starter feed should be their sole diet regime to ensure balanced diet.
two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks improve into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decreased protein content material, normally 15–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney issues in youthful birds.
Intent: Supports continuous advancement without encouraging untimely laying.
Sort: Crumbles or pellets.
Health supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.
Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed right up until they start laying, as higher calcium levels can hurt establishing organs.
3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initially 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 development.
Type: Crumbles or pellets.
Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-option for added calcium.
Idea: Some hens favor crumbles over pellets—observe your flock’s preference.
4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers need a large-protein, Strength-dense feed to guidance immediate excess weight acquire.
Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.
Finisher QH88 (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–20% protein.
Tip: Keep track of feed very carefully—overfeeding can result in leg issues or coronary heart troubles.
five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats is usually a excellent health supplement to the chickens’ diet program, but they should make up no more than ten% of day-to-day ingestion. Offer you wholesome solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.
Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.
Use grit: In case your flock eats total grains or roughage, offer grit to assist digestion.
Remaining Guidelines
Normally supply clean up, fresh water—it’s far more vital than feed.
Retailer feed thoroughly to prevent mold and pests.
Alter feed portions based upon flock size and age.
Feeding chickens appropriately at Each individual life stage ensures a thriving flock, much better egg manufacturing, and fewer health issues. With the correct diet program, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!