Boosting balanced chickens begins with suitable diet. Feeding your flock the ideal diet plan at Every single stage of life is important for progress, egg creation, and General well-staying. Irrespective of whether you are boosting chicks, pullets, or adult hens, being familiar with their transforming nutritional wants allows make certain a contented and successful flock. This chicken feeding tutorial walks you thru what to feed your birds from day one particular for their golden laying years.

1. Starter Feed (0–6 Months Old)
The primary few weeks of the chick’s lifestyle are essential. During this era, chicks require large-protein starter feed to help quick expansion and enhancement. Most starter feeds contain eighteen–20% protein, along with the correct balance of natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Sort: Crumbles or mash (a lot easier for little beaks to consume)

Supplements: Grit is pointless if feeding only professional starter feed.

Suggestion: Stay away from giving treats way too early—starter feed needs to be their sole diet plan to ensure balanced nourishment.

2. Grower Feed (6–18 Months Aged)
As chicks increase into pullets (teenage chickens), their diet plan shifts to grower feed. This feed has a little reduced protein written content, normally 15–17%, and less calcium than layer feed to forestall kidney issues in young birds.

Function: Supports continual growth without having encouraging premature laying.

Kind: Crumbles or pellets.

Health supplements: Grit if you introduce grains or treats.

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

three. Layer Feed (18+ Months / 1st Egg)
As soon as your pullets lay their initial egg, it’s time to modify to layer feed. This specially formulated feed incorporates about 16% protein and the next amount of calcium to assistance eggshell development.

Form: Crumbles or pellets.

Nutritional supplements: Supply oyster shell or crushed eggshells no cost-option for added calcium.

Idea: Some hens prefer crumbles about pellets—notice your flock’s preference.

4. Broiler Feed (For Meat Birds)
Should you’re elevating chickens for meat, your feeding tactic differs. Broilers need a large-protein, Electrical power-dense feed to assistance quick weight obtain.

Starter (0–3 weeks): 22–24% protein.

Finisher (three months to reap): QH88 18–20% protein.

Tip: Check feed thoroughly—overfeeding may lead to leg issues or coronary heart complications.

five. Treats and Scraps (All Ages, sparsely)
Treats might be a terrific nutritional supplement on your chickens’ eating plan, but they need to make up not more than 10% of every day ingestion. Present healthier choices like leafy greens, oats, cooked rice, or fruits.

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

Use grit: If your flock eats total grains or roughage, give grit to help digestion.

Last Tips
Generally supply clean up, refreshing drinking water—it’s more significant than feed.

Shop feed adequately to avoid mold and pests.

Alter feed parts based upon flock sizing and age.

Feeding chickens properly at Every single everyday living phase makes certain a flourishing flock, superior egg generation, and less medical issues. With the appropriate eating plan, your birds will reward you with eggs, companionship, and maybe several clucks of appreciation!