Broilers belong to meat-bearing birds and are characterized by fast growth rates and, accordingly, weight gain. In this article, we will tell you how to properly feed these birds in order to achieve maximum productivity in the shortest possible time and prevent health problems in the livestock. Consider in detail the types of feed and ration depending on the age of birds.
Types of feed
Compound feeds are a very convenient option for breeders as all the necessary nutrients and healthy substances are balanced in them. Did you know? For the first time, chickens were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago on the territory of modern Ethiopia.
For each stage of development of birds, a certain feed is provided, as well as a certain dosage. 
Starter feed for broilers
Eating chickens in the first days of life is a very important step, which is a responsible approach. At the same time, both portions and food composition play a role. Between birth and day 21, birds should eat 15-90 g of feed daily.
In this case, the chickens will gain first 15 g, and from the second week 30 g daily. During this period, each chick eats approximately 850 g of food and will gain weight of 750-800 g. Food to young chicks is often given, but a little bit, they should eat 7-8 times a day.
Find out how much feed a broiler eats, how to prepare feed, how to raise broiler chickens, how to keep broiler chickens, how to give broiler feed PC 5 and PC 6 correctly.
Growth feed for broilers
From the 22nd day of life, the chicks begin to grow actively, and they need more feed. From the 22nd to the 35th day, they need to be given 90-140 g of food, and their weight should increase daily by 50-55 g during this period. By the 35th day, broilers should weigh 1,550-1,650 kg each. Per day, chickens need 5-6 meals. 
Important! Starter and growth feed must contain a large amount of protein, which is available in grass meal.
Finishing compound feed for broilers
From the 36th to the 42nd day, each broiler eats 120-160 g of such food daily, and the weight gain is 56 g daily. During this period, food for birds should be more high-calorie than in the first two stages of fattening, therefore, as a rule, there is more fat in the composition of the final food, approximately 3%. Adult birds no longer need to be fed too often, two meals are enough for them, in the morning and in the evening. 
It is worth noting that you can buy ready-made feed for broilers, as well as prepare it yourself at home. The second option is more troublesome, but it will save on food for birds. Important! At each stage of fattening, broilers need to provide a large amount of drinking water, and this is imperative. In the first 7 days of life, chicks are recommended to even heat the purified water to 25 degrees.
Dry or wet feed?
In order for broilers to gain weight quickly, it is necessary to combine dry and wet food. Dry granules should always lie in the trough, and mash should be prepared 2 times a day. For the preparation of moist food, you must take 1 kg of feed and 500 ml of whey, milk or meat broth. Alternating dry and wet meals in the diet, you can achieve optimal results. 
Practical tips on feeding broiler feed
We have already said that feeding the birds feed and profitable and convenient. In order to properly organize the process of nutrition and get the desired result, you should follow some rules, namely:
- Pay attention to the amount of corn in the feed, the greater it is, the more energy the birds will receive. As a percentage, it should be at least 40%.
- If wheat prevails in the feed, you need to add vitamins A and B6 to the broiler ration, as well as biotin.
- In the event that the chicks do not have enough energy, you should add to the diet 1-2% of fat, which will increase the caloric content of food.
- Starter feed is smaller than growth and finishing, in order to make it easier for chicks to eat and digest, the diameter of the grains should not exceed 2.5 mm.
- If for some reason it is planned to change the feed or nutrition, it should be done gradually.
- Before feeding the birds it is recommended to give plenty of water to drink.
- The transition from the starter to the growth feed must be carried out only if the bird code gains the necessary mass, and just as it should happen with the transition to the finish one, which is fed before the moment of slaughter of the bird.
- In the first week of life, the chicks should be poured into large portions of dry food, and then gradually reduce its quantity.
Did you know? Chickens eat damaged or discard spoiled eggs from the nest.Feeding with feed significantly simplifies the life of the breeder, as this food is balanced and requires only the correct and timely mode of feeding it to the birds. On the menu of broilers you should not save, as the return by fleshy and large weight directly depends on the quality and quantity of food that birds consume.
