Baby chicks requires specific types of feed because of there nutritional requirements change as the chicks grows. If you provide the same type of feed to chicks of all ages, you are not providing the correct nutrients to baby chicks, which can harm the chicks. Baby chicks require a high amount of protein during the initial growth stage of the chicks lives.
Chick starter feed contain high levels of protein which is required for the growth of the baby chicks. If the chicks do not receive enough protein during this initial stage, the chicks may experience stunted growth or develop weakened immune system. Pullets have different nutritional requirements than baby chicks.
What to Feed Chicks at Different Ages
The chicks are no longer growing at the same rate as baby chicks so the protein levels needs to be reduced in there feed. During this stage, grit is introduced to the chickens diets. Grit consists of small stone that the chickens consume which grind the food in their gizzard.
If you dont provide grit to the chickens, the chicks cannot properly digest the nutrients in their feed, which can make them become lethargic. Layer feed should be avoided when feeding young chicks. Layer feed contains high levels of calcium which is required for chicks to produce shells for their eggs, but excessive calcium can damage the kidney of young chicks.
Instead, developer feed can be used to help transition the chicks from pullet feed to layer feed. Using developer feed ensures that the chicks bodies only transition to layer feed when they’re bodies are ready to use the mineral in that feed. Once chicks begin to lay egg, hens require specific nutrition to support egg production.
Hens require steady amounts of protein yet high amounts of calcium to produce there eggs. Limit the number of treats that the hens receive because treats can interfere with the hens consumption of the required feed pellet. For instance, if you provide the laying hens with too much treats that contain high amounts of corn, they will not consume their required feed pellets.
As a result, the laying of the chicks egg will decrease. Ensure that treats are limited to a small fraction of the diet of the laying hens. Roosters have different nutritional requirements than laying hens.
Roosters do not require the same amount of calcium as hens because roosters do not lay eggs. Excessive amounts of calcium in a rooster’s diet over time can be toxic to the rooster. An all-flock feed can be used if managing a flock that contains roosters and laying hens.
Such feed contains a middle ground of nutrients that ensures the laying hens receive the nutrients that they require to grow strong and healthy body, while also ensuring that the roosters receive the nutrients that they require. Water is a requirement for chicks of all ages. If the water that the chicks drink is dirty or if water is not provided to the chicks at all, they will cease to eat there feed.
Ensure that water is provided to chicks at all times. During the winter months, extra corn can be provided to the chicks in the evenings because the extra corn help the chicks produce more body heat. During the summer months, ensure that the chicks have access to water to combat the effects of the heat on the chicks consumption of water and feed.
Overall, the feeding of chicks should of been managed in a way to ensure that they have the more correct fuel to power their bodies during each life stage of their lives.