Elevating healthy chickens starts off with good diet. Feeding your flock the correct diet program at Every phase of daily life is important for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall properly-becoming. Regardless of whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional wants helps guarantee a happy and productive flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from working day 1 to their golden laying yrs.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main handful of months of the chick’s life are vital. All through this era, chicks need substantial-protein starter feed to aid fast development and progress. Most starter feeds comprise eighteen–twenty% protein, together with the correct stability of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Kind: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for little beaks to take in)

Nutritional supplements: Grit is unnecessary if feeding only commercial starter feed.

Idea: Avoid giving treats too early—starter feed must be their sole diet to ensure well balanced nourishment.

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 reduced protein content material, usually fifteen–seventeen%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.

Goal: Supports regular growth without the need of encouraging untimely laying.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.

Suggestion: Avoid layer feed right until they start laying, as high calcium degrees can damage developing organs.

3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and an increased degree of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.

Sort: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells totally free-choice QH88 for extra calcium.

Suggestion: Some hens like crumbles above pellets—notice your flock’s desire.

4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In case you’re boosting chickens for meat, your feeding method differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to support speedy body weight obtain.

Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (3 weeks to harvest): 18–20% protein.

Suggestion: Watch feed carefully—overfeeding can result in leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats is usually a good nutritional supplement to your chickens’ diet plan, but they need to make up no more than 10% of every day intake. Supply healthful possibilities like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Prevent: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: When your flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.

Ultimate Guidelines
Constantly give clear, refreshing water—it’s more important than feed.

Store feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.

Modify feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.

Feeding chickens properly at Every life phase assures a flourishing 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!