Elevating healthful chickens begins with right diet. Feeding your flock the best diet program at Each and every phase of lifetime is important for growth, egg generation, and All round well-staying. No matter if you are increasing chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their altering nutritional desires helps make certain a cheerful and successful flock. This hen feeding guide walks you thru what to feed your birds from day 1 for their golden laying yrs.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Old)
The main couple months of a chick’s lifetime are significant. All through this era, chicks demand higher-protein starter feed to assistance fast advancement and progress. Most starter feeds incorporate 18–twenty% protein, together with the proper equilibrium of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Variety: Crumbles or mash (less complicated for very small beaks to eat)

Nutritional supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only business starter feed.

Suggestion: Steer clear of offering treats much too early—starter feed needs to be their sole eating plan to ensure balanced nourishment.

two. Grower Feed (six–eighteen Weeks Outdated)
As chicks grow into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet regime shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little decreased protein content, typically fifteen–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to prevent kidney challenges in younger birds.

Function: Supports regular advancement with out encouraging untimely laying.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Grit when you introduce grains or treats.

Tip: Keep away from layer feed right up until they start laying, as higher calcium ranges can hurt establishing organs.

3. Layer Feed (18+ Months / Initial Egg)
At the time your pullets lay their very first egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed contains about 16% protein and a higher volume of calcium to guidance eggshell formation.

Sort: Crumbles or pellets.

Dietary supplements: Offer oyster shell or crushed eggshells absolutely free-choice for further calcium.

Idea: Some hens desire crumbles more than pellets—observe your flock’s choice.

4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
When you’re raising chickens for meat, your feeding technique is different. Broilers require a superior-protein, Vitality-dense feed to aid fast fat get.

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

Finisher (three months to reap): 18–20% protein.

Suggestion: Watch feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg difficulties or coronary heart challenges.

5. Treats QH88 and Scraps (All Ages, in Moderation)
Treats might be a terrific nutritional supplement on your chickens’ diet program, but they should make up no more than ten% of everyday ingestion. Supply healthy selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Steer clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, raw beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: In the event your flock eats entire grains or roughage, deliver grit to aid digestion.

Ultimate Strategies
Usually supply cleanse, fresh new water—it’s a lot more critical than feed.

Retail store feed properly to avoid mold and pests.

Adjust feed portions depending on flock measurement and age.

Feeding chickens accurately at Every single daily life stage ensures a flourishing flock, greater egg manufacturing, and much less medical issues. With the best diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!