Increasing healthy chickens commences with right diet. Feeding your flock the right diet program at Just about every stage of existence is essential for advancement, egg output, and Over-all properly-getting. No matter whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their transforming nutritional wants allows guarantee a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person for their golden laying many years.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Old)
The primary couple months of the chick’s life are vital. Through this era, chicks have to have superior-protein starter feed to support fast progress and growth. Most starter feeds incorporate 18–twenty% protein, combined with the proper balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for very small beaks to try to eat)

Dietary supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only commercial starter feed.

Suggestion: Stay away from supplying treats way too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet to be certain balanced nutrition.

two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decreased protein material, typically 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney problems in younger birds.

Intent: Supports steady development devoid of encouraging untimely laying.

Variety: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Keep away from layer feed right up until they start laying, as large calcium stages can harm creating organs.

three. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / First Egg)
Once your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.

Variety: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.

Tip: Some hens desire crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s choice.

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers need a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to aid fast fat gain.

Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (3 weeks to reap): eighteen–twenty% protein.

Idea: Monitor feed meticulously—overfeeding may lead to leg problems or heart difficulties.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats might be a fantastic dietary supplement on your chickens’ food plan, QH88 but they should make up not more than ten% of day by day ingestion. Offer wholesome choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Stay away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: Should your flock eats entire grains or roughage, supply grit to aid digestion.

Last Suggestions
Usually offer clean, fresh h2o—it’s extra vital than feed.

Retail outlet feed adequately in order to avoid mildew and pests.

Adjust feed parts based upon flock measurement and age.

Feeding chickens appropriately at Every life phase assures a thriving flock, superior egg creation, and fewer health concerns. With the best diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps several clucks of appreciation!