Boosting healthful chickens commences with proper nourishment. Feeding your flock the best eating plan at Every single phase of existence is important for expansion, egg production, and Total well-staying. Irrespective of whether you are increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional needs aids assure a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you through what to feed your birds from day one particular for their golden laying decades.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The initial couple weeks of a chick’s lifestyle are critical. In the course of this period, chicks involve significant-protein starter feed to guidance speedy growth and enhancement. Most starter feeds consist of 18–twenty% protein, combined with the correct equilibrium of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Variety: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for very small beaks to eat)

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

Idea: Avoid providing treats way too early—starter feed should be their sole diet program to guarantee well balanced diet.

2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Aged)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit decreased protein written content, typically fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney difficulties in younger birds.

Objective: Supports regular growth with out encouraging untimely laying.

Sort: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Stay clear of layer feed right until they start laying, as significant calcium amounts can hurt building organs.

three. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / 1st Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-choice for more calcium.

Idea: Some hens favor crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s desire.

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a higher-protein, Strength-dense feed to guidance rapid excess weight obtain.

Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (three months to harvest): eighteen–twenty% protein.

Suggestion: Keep an eye on feed thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg challenges or heart troubles.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats generally is a good nutritional supplement to the chickens’ diet plan, but they ought to make up not more QH88 than 10% of each day intake. Offer you healthy possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

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

Use grit: When your flock eats full grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.

Last Recommendations
Always offer clear, contemporary h2o—it’s more essential than feed.

Shop feed effectively in order to avoid mold and pests.

Modify feed parts dependant on flock size and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at each life phase assures a flourishing flock, improved egg generation, and fewer health issues. With the ideal diet regime, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe some clucks of appreciation!