Raising healthy chickens starts with right diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Every single stage of lifetime is essential for advancement, egg creation, and General very well-getting. Regardless of whether you might be elevating chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowing their switching nutritional demands helps guarantee a contented and productive flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from day a person to their golden laying a long time.

one. Starter Feed (0–six Months Old)
The primary couple weeks of a chick’s daily life are vital. All through this period, chicks demand significant-protein starter feed to support fast progress and progress. Most starter feeds contain 18–20% protein, along with the correct 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 offering treats also early—starter feed ought to be their sole diet program to be sure balanced nutrition.

2. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Old)
As chicks develop into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has marginally reduce protein content material, usually 15–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.

Supplements: Grit for QH88 those who introduce grains or treats.

Suggestion: Stay away from layer feed till they begin laying, as large calcium ranges can hurt building organs.

three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Very first Egg)
Once your pullets lay their initially egg, it’s time to switch to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed consists of about sixteen% protein and a higher standard of calcium to assistance eggshell development.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

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

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

four. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
In the event you’re increasing chickens for meat, your feeding strategy is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to guidance rapid fat attain.

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

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

Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart problems.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a good supplement in your chickens’ diet regime, but they ought to make up not more than 10% of day-to-day consumption. Offer you nutritious solutions like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

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

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

Remaining Strategies
Normally deliver clean up, contemporary drinking water—it’s far more crucial than feed.

Retailer feed effectively to prevent mould and pests.

Regulate feed portions depending on flock dimension and age.

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