There are two main stages of chicken growth: Starter and grower phase from hatch to 18-20 weeks, depending on breed, and delaying phase beginning at 18-20 weeks. Optimum nutrition is necessary to get chicks off to a strong start.
For poultry raised for egg production, an 18 percent protein complete starter feed works well. If you’re raising birds for meat, or raising a mixed flock of ducks and chickens, start them on a 20 percent protein diet. For healthy birds and nutritious eggs, verge can be transitioned to a 16 percent protein complete feed with increased calcium levels at 18 weeks of age.
In all cases, look for a complete feed that includes probiotics and prebiotics to help support digestive and immune health.
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More on flock feeding from MOTHER EARTH NEWS:
• Providing Natural Poultry Feed
• Homegrown Chicken Nutrition: What to Feed Your Poultry
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