The little ones grow up way too fast, this saying also applies to young poultry. As if they had just hatched yesterday, the little chicks have now grown and will soon become young animals. Then it is time to switch to a special young hen or young rooster feed. This is because hens and roosters have different nutritional and feed requirements that the breeder should keep in mind. Especially if the animals are to be presented at exhibitions later or if the chicken keeper values consistent and abundant egg laying. For hens, for example, slow maturation is important, whereas roosters receive energy- and protein-rich food that stimulates growth and the development of species-specific characteristics. We will tell you what to look out for when switching and what makes a good young poultry feed!
1. Separation of young hens and roosters
From the 9th week of life, it is time to switch to a needs-based young hen or young rooster feed - such as Young Hen Premium Meal or Pellet or accordingly the Young Rooster Premium Pellet. This is because male and female poultry have different requirements for their feed. To do this, the young animals must first be separated into a hen and a rooster group in order to feed them accordingly.
2. Avoid changing feed form
Young poultry is accustomed to a certain feed form from chick feed - either in meal or pellet form. To avoid irritations such as feed refusal and, in the worst case, malnutrition, the keeper should definitely use the same feed form for the follow-up feed. Therefore, Mifuma young hen or young rooster premium is also available as grain/pellet and as meal. Mix the chick and follow-up feed slowly over a period of about 2 weeks so that your animals can adjust well.
3. Young hen feed – What should you pay attention to?
The growing hens receive special young hen feed between chick age and laying maturity, such as Mifuma Young Hen Premium Meal or Grain. This contains all the nutrients to allow the young chickens to mature into vital and fit laying hens. Laying eggs is a peak performance for the hens and demands a lot from the body. Therefore, the young chickens need sufficient minerals and vitamins to promote moderate growth and an appropriate body structure without stimulating an early start of laying. If a hen grows too quickly, laying maturity can set in too early. Mifuma chicken feed also contains an herbal complex that supports healthy growth and the immune system of the poultry.
4. Young rooster feed – What makes it special?
Young roosters have high demands on their feed. For healthy growth, they need protein- and energy-rich feed from the 9th week of life, which lays the foundation for good muscle meat development and strong bone structure. This is further supported by a high content of minerals. A good value of amino and fatty acids promotes broad feathers and a shiny and robust plumage and can make a difference in scoring points for exhibition animals. Based on these criteria, we have developed the Young Rooster Premium Pellet! For those who prefer to feed their young roosters a meal feed, we recommend as an alternative to the Young Rooster Premium Meal, which is no longer in our range, the Chick Starter Premium. The chick starter has a high content of energy, amino acids, and proteins, optimally supporting robust growth and the development of strong plumage.
5. Coccidiosis management - but naturally!
For breeders who want natural coccidiosis management, we recommend our Chick and Young Hen Rearing. This feed in crumb structure can be fed from the 1st week of life and is continued to be fed to the young hens until laying maturity. It is important to switch the feed for the mature, laying chickens in time. The protection complex has a prebiotic and at the same time antibacterial effect, promotes intestinal health, and strengthens the immune system of your poultry.
You can find all poultry feeds at a glance in our product overview or in our poultry program.
