Raising healthier chickens commences with appropriate nutrition. Feeding your flock the right food plan at Each individual stage of life is important for development, egg output, and Total nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with 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 years.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Aged)
The very first several months of the chick’s lifestyle are essential. During this period, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to support speedy progress and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the proper stability of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Kind: Crumbles or mash (much easier for very small beaks to take in)

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

Idea: Avoid giving treats way too early—starter feed need to be their sole diet to make sure balanced nourishment.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Outdated)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduced protein material, typically fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney challenges in young birds.

Objective: Supports continual progress with out encouraging untimely laying.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Avoid layer feed right until they start laying, as higher calcium amounts can hurt building organs.

3. Layer Feed (18+ Weeks / To start with Egg)
After your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specially formulated feed has about 16% protein and a higher degree QH88 of calcium to aid eggshell development.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Offer you oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for excess calcium.

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

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding technique differs. Broilers require a high-protein, Strength-dense feed to aid fast fat gain.

Starter (0–3 months): 22–24% protein.

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

Idea: Keep track of feed cautiously—overfeeding can lead to leg concerns or coronary heart complications.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats could be a fantastic supplement for your chickens’ diet, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of day by day intake. Present healthier solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Keep away from: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: If the flock eats whole grains or roughage, present grit to assist digestion.

Remaining Tips
Often give clean, clean drinking water—it’s additional critical than feed.

Retail outlet feed thoroughly to stay away from mildew and pests.

Change feed parts dependant on flock size and age.

Feeding chickens properly at Just about every lifetime stage ensures a flourishing flock, far better egg production, and less health problems. With the proper food plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!