Proper feeding of the bird

Feeding the young birds

At the moment, the structure of feeding chickens of egg cross for young animals is divided into three stages.

• 1-7 weeks
• 8-16 weeks
• 17-20 weeks

A separate feed formulation is required for each stage. In this article, we will only touch on the first of those listed.

• First of all, it differs by the way young animals at this stage of development are fed well. That is, they have no food restrictions. The metabolic rate these days is very high.
• The second important difference is the ratio of nutrients in the diet relative to an adult. For an adult, the BJU ratio looks something like this: proteins 10-15%, fats 4-6%, carbohydrates 60-85%. For a chick aged 1 to 7 weeks: proteins 15-21%, fats 4-5%, carbohydrates 60-75%.
• The third important point is water. Chicks need to drink a lot and often. Therefore, it is worth carefully monitoring the fullness of the drinkers. And change the water twice a day.
• The fourth point is the changes in the system within one stage. On the 8th day of life, the chicks are already allowed to give crumbly mash and greens. But it is worth paying special attention to the hygiene of food places. Since the protective functions of the young organism are still at a minimum level. The stirrer standing for more than half an hour begins to sour and can lead to the death of the chick. Many poultry farmers are inclined to believe that at this stage it is better to give preference to dry food, it is safer. On the 10th day of life, you can already add vegetables to the diet: potatoes (boiled), carrots, pumpkins and others. But it has to be crushed. At the same time, you can slowly include crushed eggshells or chalk in the diet. From day 11, the frequency of feeding changes, and up to 45 chicks are fed 5 times a day. Starting from day 46 – 4 times. From day 12, it is already allowed to add nutritional yeast to the diet, but not more than 3% of the total volume. Up to 30 days, the daily rate of compound feed should not exceed 30 grams per head. From 31 to 60 days no more than 50 grams per day.

Mistakes in feeding

• Lack and poor quality of water. I repeat! Water for birds is one of the most important things. It should always be freely available! But its quality is no less important than its presence. Drinkers should be washed and the water changed regularly. At least 2 times a day for young animals, and once a day for adults. Among other things, it is worth controlling the temperature of the water. In hot weather, the need for it increases, but if the water is too warm, they will not drink it. In the cold season, water can freeze, so you should either take care of this in advance and buy a heated drinker. Or regularly pour warm (not hot!) water.
• Excess food. Everything is good in moderation! Malnutrition of a bird is bad for its health. However, overeating does just as much damage. For an adult, this is obesity and a decrease in the level of productivity, up to a complete absence. For young animals, this is too active development, possible obesity, early maturation, and as a result, limited productivity.
• Kitchen waste. A good source of additional nutrients, but only as a small delicacy for poultry. When giving it, do not forget about the daily rate. Exceeding it, you risk not only the health of the livestock, but also the productivity of your own farm.

Proper feeding of the bird is the key to its productivity, this statement is even more relevant for the younger generation. Young growth, especially recently hatched chickens, needs not only a special composition, but also a special form of feeding. Their body develops rapidly, therefore, it requires a much more nutritious diet. But at the same time, he is not strong enough to digest grain and other coarse food. Therefore, food for young individuals must be crushed. And at this stage, many poultry farmers prefer compound feed. According to statistics, combined feed is more often chosen for young birds than for mature birds. The explanation for this is this. Not many breeders have the ability to set aside enough time to maintain a proper diet, even for adults. And young animals require even more time. Compound feed allows you to reduce the time not only for grinding food, but also for compiling a balanced diet. It already takes into account both the age and species needs of the bird.