Increasing healthier chickens starts off with good diet. Feeding your flock the appropriate diet regime at Every single phase of lifetime is essential for progress, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Whether or not you might be raising chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, comprehending their transforming nutritional wants allows make certain a contented and productive flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying many years.

one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are significant. For the duration of this era, chicks require higher-protein starter feed to assist immediate development and advancement. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, along with the appropriate harmony of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Variety: Crumbles or mash (easier for tiny beaks to eat)

Supplements: Grit is needless if feeding only industrial starter feed.

Suggestion: Keep away from providing treats way too early—starter feed really should be their sole eating plan to be certain well balanced diet.

2. Grower Feed (6–eighteen Months Previous)
As chicks expand into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet program shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than QH88 layer feed to prevent kidney issues in youthful birds.

Function: Supports constant development without having encouraging untimely laying.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.

Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as significant calcium stages can damage creating organs.

three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initial Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their 1st egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about sixteen% protein and a higher amount of calcium to assistance eggshell development.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.

Idea: Some hens choose crumbles around pellets—observe your flock’s choice.

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance fast fat attain.

Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.

Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or heart issues.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats generally is a terrific complement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up not more than ten% of day-to-day ingestion. Give healthy options like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: In case your flock eats entire grains or roughage, offer grit to aid digestion.

Final Tips
Always provide clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional significant than feed.

Keep feed appropriately in order to avoid mold and pests.

Regulate feed parts determined by flock dimension and age.

Feeding chickens appropriately at Every life phase guarantees a flourishing flock, superior egg creation, and much less medical issues. With the correct diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!