Raising healthy, productive animals requires more than just offering a full feeder. It takes thoughtful planning, stage-specific nutrition, and a deep understanding of how animals grow. Whether you’re raising poultry, pigs, or cattle, your feeding strategies for livestock should evolve with the animal’s lifecycle to ensure consistent development, optimal health, and efficient production.

At Kreamer Feed, we’ve been helping farms feed with confidence since 1947. As a family-owned and operated feed mill with decades of expertise in organic poultry and livestock feed, we understand the importance of feeding programs that match each growth phase.

Here’s your essential hatch to harvest feeding guide, designed to support animal nutrition by growth stage and help you make the most of every pound of feed.

Start Strong: The Starter Phase

The early weeks of life are critical. Young chicks and newborn livestock require nutrient-dense feed to support rapid growth, immune development, and skeletal strength.

• For poultry, poultry feeding stages begin with a starter crumble rich in protein (usually 18–20%), vitamins, and minerals. This supports quick muscle development and early feathering. 
• In pigs and calves, starter feeds are typically high in digestible proteins and include immune-supporting additives to help them transition from milk. 

This stage-specific animal diet lays the groundwork for a productive future.

Grow with Purpose: The Grower Phase

Once the foundation is set, animals move into a growth-focused phase. Here, the goal is to add body weight efficiently while maintaining health and structural integrity.

• In poultry nutrition from chick to hen, the grower feed has slightly lower protein but more energy to fuel sustained growth. 
• For livestock, livestock growth stage nutrition at this point includes higher fiber for ruminants and carefully balanced energy for efficient gain in swine and beef cattle. 

This is also a good time to reassess your livestock feed management practices, including feeder space, water availability, and environmental conditions.

Finish Strong: The Finisher or Production Phase

Whether you’re preparing broilers for market or bringing hogs and steers to harvest weight, this phase is all about finishing efficiently. Feed should support muscle finish, fat cover (as needed), and strong immune systems.

• For meat birds, this means a higher-energy ration with enough protein to maintain tissue growth. 
• For livestock, feeding programs for meat production typically focus on maximizing gain while keeping cost per pound in check. 

Proper optimal feed for animal development at this stage ensures your animals meet market targets without unnecessary waste.

The Kreamer Feed Commitment

At every step, livestock feed management and stage-specific diets matter. From starter to finisher, our team at Kreamer Feed designs feeds that match the unique needs of each life stage. Our formulations are rooted in nutritional science, crafted with high-quality ingredients, and supported by long-standing partnerships with local growers.

We don’t just make feed. We help you raise stronger animals, more efficiently, and with confidence.

Ready to Feed Every Stage Right?

Visit KreamerFeed.com to learn more about our customized, stage-based feeding programs. Whether you’re feeding chicks, pigs, or calves, we have the tools and trusted experience to support every step of your operation, from hatch to harvest.