Boosting balanced chickens starts with correct nutrition. Feeding your flock the proper diet plan at Each and every phase of lifetime is essential for growth, egg generation, 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 effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you through what to feed your birds from day 1 to their golden laying a long time.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Aged)
The very first number of months of the chick’s lifetime are critical. Through this era, chicks involve high-protein starter feed to assistance speedy progress and growth. Most starter feeds incorporate 18–twenty% protein, together with the suitable harmony of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Form: Crumbles or mash (easier for very small beaks to try to eat)

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

Suggestion: Avoid offering treats as well early—starter feed should be their sole eating plan to be sure well balanced nutrition.

two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Previous)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has slightly decrease protein content material, generally fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to circumvent kidney problems in young birds.

Function: Supports continuous growth without having encouraging premature laying.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Grit for those who introduce grains or treats.

Idea: Avoid layer feed till they begin laying, as high calcium levels can hurt producing organs.

3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / 1st Egg)
When your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed includes about 16% protein and an increased amount of calcium to help eggshell development.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Supplements: QH88 Present oyster shell or crushed eggshells cost-free-option for added calcium.

Suggestion: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—observe your flock’s choice.

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

Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

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

Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart challenges.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific supplement to your chickens’ food plan, but they ought to make up no more than ten% of day-to-day intake. Offer balanced selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

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

Use grit: In the event your flock eats complete grains or roughage, provide grit to assist digestion.

Final Recommendations
Usually deliver clear, fresh drinking water—it’s extra crucial than feed.

Retail store feed correctly to stop mould and pests.

Regulate feed parts depending on flock dimensions and age.

Feeding chickens correctly at Each and every lifetime stage makes certain a thriving flock, greater egg generation, and less health problems. With the best eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe a couple of clucks of appreciation!