Raising healthful chickens begins with correct nourishment. Feeding your flock the proper diet program at Just about every stage of lifestyle is important for expansion, egg creation, and All round well-remaining. Whether you happen to be increasing chicks, pullets, or Grownup hens, knowledge their altering nutritional requires will help ensure a happy and productive flock. This rooster feeding guideline walks you through what to feed your birds from day just one for their golden laying a long time.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The main handful of weeks of a chick’s existence are essential. All through this era, chicks involve high-protein starter feed to support fast growth and improvement. Most starter feeds include eighteen–20% protein, along with the correct equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Kind: Crumbles or mash (less difficult for tiny beaks to take in)

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

Tip: Prevent giving treats far too early—starter feed really should be their sole diet program to ensure balanced diet.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Previous)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has somewhat decreased protein content material, ordinarily fifteen–seventeen%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to stop kidney troubles in youthful birds.

Intent: Supports steady progress with no encouraging premature laying.

Type: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Grit in case you introduce grains or treats.

Suggestion: Keep away from layer feed until eventually they start laying, as large calcium amounts can harm creating organs.

3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Months / To start with Egg)
At the QH88 time your pullets lay their to start with egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and a higher standard of calcium to assist eggshell development.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

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

Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles in excess of pellets—notice your flock’s desire.

4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding approach differs. Broilers have to have a higher-protein, Electricity-dense feed to aid fast fat attain.

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

Finisher (three weeks to harvest): 18–twenty% protein.

Idea: Monitor feed very carefully—overfeeding may result in leg challenges or coronary heart complications.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a wonderful nutritional supplement towards your chickens’ eating plan, but they need to make up not more than 10% of every day ingestion. Offer you healthful choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

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

Use grit: In case your flock eats full grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.

Ultimate Suggestions
Generally offer cleanse, refreshing drinking water—it’s more critical than feed.

Store feed appropriately to stay away from mold and pests.

Modify feed portions based upon flock sizing and age.

Feeding chickens properly at Just about every life phase makes sure a flourishing flock, improved egg output, and much less health concerns. With the right diet, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a handful of clucks of appreciation!