Increasing balanced chickens starts off with right diet. Feeding your flock the correct diet plan at Every phase of lifestyle is important for expansion, egg manufacturing, and overall nicely-remaining. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, knowledge their modifying nutritional requires aids be certain a happy and effective flock. This hen feeding manual walks you thru what to feed your birds from working day 1 for their golden laying decades.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Weeks Outdated)
The first number of months of the chick’s life are essential. During 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.

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

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

Tip: Steer clear of giving treats as well early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet program to make certain balanced nutrition.

two. Grower Feed (six–18 Weeks Aged)
As chicks mature into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little bit lessen protein written content, ordinarily fifteen–17%, and fewer calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney troubles in young birds.

Purpose: Supports continuous expansion without having encouraging premature laying.

Variety: Crumbles or pellets.

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

Tip: Stay clear of layer feed until eventually they start laying, as high calcium degrees can hurt producing organs.

3. Layer Feed (eighteen+ Weeks / Initially Egg)
When your pullets lay their first egg, it’s time to change to layer feed. This specifically formulated feed is made up of about sixteen% protein and a better level of calcium to assist eggshell development.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells free-choice for excess calcium.

Tip: Some hens want crumbles more than 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 (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

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

Suggestion: Observe feed cautiously—overfeeding can cause leg challenges or coronary heart issues.

5. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, moderately)
Treats can be quite a terrific supplement for your chickens’ diet program, but they ought to make up no more than 10% of everyday consumption. Supply healthier selections like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

Stay clear of: Salty foods, chocolate, avocado, Uncooked beans, or moldy scraps.

Use grit: If the flock eats total grains or roughage, present grit to help digestion.

Closing Guidelines
Constantly give clear, clean water—it’s much more essential than feed.

Store feed properly to stay away from mould and pests.

Alter feed portions based on flock sizing and age.

Feeding chickens effectively at Every single existence stage makes certain a thriving flock, better egg creation, and fewer medical issues. With QH88 the best diet plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and perhaps a number of clucks of appreciation!