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Providing the right nutrition is essential for keeping your poultry healthy, productive, and happy. Poultry require a well-balanced diet that changes as they grow, ensuring they receive all the necessary nutrients at different life stages. Below, we explore the various types of poultry feed and their roles in supporting the health and well-being of your birds.
Chick Crumb can be fed from hatching to 6-8 weeks of age. To help ensure birds receive a balanced diet, Chick Crumb should be fed as often as desired and not mixed with additional grain or corn. Chick Crumb is also suitable for ducklings and goslings.
Growers Pellets are only needed from the chick stage at about 3-4 weeks and through the growing up stage to about 16-18 weeks. You can also find anti-coccidiostat (ACS) in Growers Pellets. Anti-coccidiostats help to prevent the onset of coccidiosis and keep birds healthy.
After feeding up to 16-18 weeks, it’s then time to move them onto Layers Pellets.
Layers Pellets are formulated to provide a complete balanced diet for all types of adult and laying poultry, ducks, geese, and bantams. Essential nutrients help to promote good health and well-being in the bird and also support egg production. This feed usually contains 15-17% protein and helps poultry lay eggs regularly.
Layers Mash is a complete feed, containing many of the same nutrients as Layers Pellets but in meal form. Layers Mash is carefully formulated so your birds produce good quality eggs with rich yolks.
Poultry Corn is made from an enhanced mixture of high-fibre wheat and energy-filled cut maize, dressed with healthy soya oil. It provides the necessary energy and nourishment, resulting in strengthened bones, feathers, and beaks. Poultry Corn should only be given as a treat and not as a meal.
Chickens love poultry corn and will eat it rather than a complete layers feed. The main ingredient of mixed corn is wheat, which provides energy but is lower in protein (usually around 10-12%) than Layers Pellets, so your chickens won’t have sufficient protein to produce as many eggs.
Poultry Grit consists of two types: insoluble hard grit, which has a grinding action in the gizzard enabling the bird to digest food properly, and soluble soft calcium grit, which dissolves into the bird's system to support eggshell production.
Grit is best fed on the ground or from a poultry grit feeder.
Poultry require a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain good health. Key nutrients include:
Calcium – Essential for strong eggshells and bone health. Found in layers feed, crushed oyster shell, or dedicated calcium supplements.
Vitamin D3 – Helps in calcium absorption and prevents weak bones and soft eggshells.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Enhance egg quality and support overall poultry health.
Probiotics and Prebiotics – Aid digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Fresh, clean water is just as important as feed. Poultry require access to water at all times, as dehydration can quickly impact their health and egg production.
Consider adding apple cider vinegar to the water occasionally, which can help support digestive health and boost immunity.
Feed the appropriate type of feed based on age and purpose (e.g., chick crumb for young birds, layers pellets for laying hens).
Provide a constant supply of grit to aid digestion and calcium intake.
Offer fresh greens and occasional treats like mealworms, fruits, or vegetables in moderation.
Avoid overfeeding corn and grains, as they can reduce protein intake and impact egg production.
Ensure constant access to clean water, as hydration is crucial for digestion and overall health.
A well-balanced diet is essential to maintaining a strong and productive poultry flock. By providing the right type of feed at each stage of their growth, supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals, and ensuring access to clean water, you can support the overall health and productivity of your birds. Investing in proper poultry nutrition will not only benefit your flock but also enhance the quality of the eggs and meat they produce.
