Poultry feed must provide the chicks with energy requirements (fats and carbohydrates) body building and maintenance (proteins and minerals) and requirements for body function (minerals, trace elements or vitamin) to ensure maintenance of life and the synthesis of organic substances. Besides, water is a main ingredient of the chicks’ daily ration.
Regardless of which type of feeding system is used, feeding space is absolutely critical. If feeder space is insufficient, growth rates will be reduced and uniformity severely compromised.
Feed distribution and the proximity of the feeder to the chicks are key to achieving target feed consumption rates.
All feeder systems should be calibrated to allow for sufficient feed volume with minimal waste.
12gm of starter feed is given per day per chick for day old chicks and the increased every week by 3 to 5 gm if there is no refusal the added amount will then be higher.