Elevating nutritious chickens commences with suitable nutrition. Feeding your flock the right diet at Every phase of existence is important for progress, egg production, and Over-all effectively-being. Irrespective of whether you happen to be boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, understanding their shifting nutritional needs will help ensure a cheerful and successful flock. This chicken feeding guidebook walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day a single for their golden laying decades.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first handful of months of the chick’s everyday living are vital. Through this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to guidance rapid development and growth. Most starter feeds consist of eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the ideal balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Type: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for small beaks to consume)

Health supplements: Grit is unwanted if feeding only business starter feed.

Suggestion: Prevent offering treats far too early—starter feed really should be their sole food plan to be certain well balanced diet.

2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat lower protein content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney difficulties in younger birds.

Objective: Supports continuous expansion with no encouraging premature laying.

Variety: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Grit should you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Stay clear of layer feed right up until they start laying, as superior calcium stages can harm producing organs.

3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
When your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about sixteen% protein and a greater volume of calcium to help eggshell development.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Provide oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-choice for further calcium.

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

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
If you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding system is different. Broilers require a significant-protein, energy-dense feed to assist immediate excess weight achieve.

Starter (0–three months): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (three months to harvest): 18–20% protein.

Tip: Keep an eye on feed diligently—overfeeding can lead to leg concerns or coronary heart challenges.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, carefully)
Treats could be a excellent health supplement towards your chickens’ diet, but they should make up no more than ten% of daily intake. Offer wholesome choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked QH88 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.

Final Suggestions
Always provide clean, fresh h2o—it’s additional critical than feed.

Keep feed appropriately to prevent mold and pests.

Regulate feed parts depending on flock dimension and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at each everyday living stage ensures a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!