Feed & Nutrition Systems
"Fueling the Flock"
📺 Watch & learn: How to Feed Chickens of Different Ages
Today's Goal
Today’s Goal
Students will understand the different feed types chickens need at each stage of life and how nutrition affects health, growth, and egg production.
Key Learning Points
Chickens require different feed at different ages Starter feed → Grower feed → Layer feed Clean water is just as important as food Treats and scraps must be balanced — not the main diet Healthy nutrition = healthy birds + better eggs
Teacher's Talking Script
“Food is fuel. The right food creates the right results.” “Chickens cannot tell you what they need — farmers must know.” “Feeding well prevents disease, weakness, and poor egg quality.”
Warm-Up Game
“FEED MATCH RACE”
Instructions
Set up cards: Starter Feed, Grower Feed, Layer Feed, Treats, Water. Students race to match each card with the correct chicken life stage: Chick (0–6 wks), Grower (6–18 wks), Layer (18+ wks). Round 2: Add wrong items (chocolate, raw beans) to teach what NOT to feed.
What It Teaches
Feed identification Quick decision-making Safe vs unsafe foods
Demonstration
“FEEDING STATION SETUP”
Materials
Three sample feeds (visual) Feed scoop Water jug Picture cards of chicken stages
Demonstration Steps
Show samples of starter, grower, and layer feed. Explain texture differences: crumbles vs pellets vs mash. Demonstrate proper feed-to-bird ratios. Show a clean water station setup. Teacher line: “Feed builds the bird. Water keeps it alive.”
Main Game
“FARM FEED MANAGER CHALLENGE”
Game Purpose: Teams act as farm managers feeding chickens at different ages.
How It Works
Each team gets a “Farm Card” showing: Number of chickens, Ages of birds, Available feed types, Limited budget tokens (optional). Goal: Choose the best feeding plan that matches all the chickens’ ages without wasting feed or money.
Twist Cards (Instructor Adds Live)
Layer feed shortage Sick chick needs softer food Hot weather affects appetite Treats donated by neighbor — too sugary
How to Win — Scoring
Correct feed-stage match (5 pts) Smart resource use (5 pts) Team coordination (5 pts) Healthy plan creativity (5 pts) Highest “Flock Health Score” wins.
Play the Mini-Game
Match Feed to Life Stage
0/3Materials Needed
Sample feeds (or labeled cups) Feed cards Worksheets Pencils Twist cards Low-cost option: Substitute paper cards labeled with feed names.
Group Quiz
What feed do chicks under 6 weeks eat?
Journal Prompt
“If chickens were people, what would your favorite feed be and why?”
My Journal
"If chickens were people, what would your favorite feed be and why?"
Draw It!
Sketch what you learned — your masterpiece saves on its own.
Fun Fact
Did You Know?
A laying hen drinks twice as much water as the amount of feed she eats — water is essential for egg production.
Instructor Notes
Emphasize
Reinforce: feed schedules build healthy birds. Stress: NEVER feed avocado, chocolate, raw beans, or moldy food. Teach phrase: “Right feed = right results.”
Common Beginner Mistakes
Giving adult feed to baby chicks (too high in calcium) Skipping water refills Overfeeding treats Feeding scraps that contain salt or sugar
Extension Challenge
Home Mission
Design a Weekly Feed Schedule for: 5 chicks (0–6 wks), 5 growers (6–18 wks), 5 layers (18+ wks). Include feed type, water plan, treats limit. Bonus: Research one common food humans eat that is toxic to chickens. Completed at home Shared with family Ready to present next session
Just For Your Age
Ages 5–8
Match-the-card game only Draw a chicken eating its favorite food
Ages 9–12
Full Farm Feed Manager Challenge Light reasoning discussions
Ages 13–18
Discuss feed conversion ratios, organic vs commercial feeds, and protein percentages Mini Challenge: Estimate weekly feed cost for 10 birds