The first few days of a chick’s life are the most critical for its long-term health and productivity. To ensure that chicks get the best start, poultry farmers must focus on one key factor—pre-starter feeds. These specialized poultry feeds are carefully formulated to provide essential nutrients during the most sensitive stage of chick development. At Skylark Feeds, we understand that strong beginnings lead to strong flocks, and that’s why our pre-starter feed formulations are designed for maximum impact.
In this blog, we’ll explore what pre-starter feeds are, their importance, and how they contribute to robust chick growth and better farm profitability.
What Are Pre-Starter Poultry Feeds?
Pre-starter poultry feeds are formulated specifically for chicks from day one to about 7–10 days of age. These feeds are finer in texture, highly digestible, and rich in proteins, energy, vitamins, and trace minerals. Unlike regular starter or grower feeds, pre-starter feeds focus on meeting the immediate nutritional needs that support early immune development, digestive health, and skeletal growth.
Why Early Nutrition Matters
In the first week of life, chicks go through a tremendous transformation. Their digestive systems are still developing, and they require easily absorbable nutrients to kickstart organ development and disease resistance. Providing well-balanced poultry feeds during this time ensures:
- Higher survival rates
- Stronger immunity
- Faster weight gain
- Uniform flock development
- Better feed conversion ratios later
Neglecting this phase can lead to stunted growth, higher mortality, and increased veterinary costs—something no poultry farmer wants.
Key Benefits of Pre-Starter Feeds
1. Boosts Digestive Enzyme Development
Pre-starter poultry feeds contain easily digestible proteins and specific additives that stimulate the chick’s enzyme production, allowing for better nutrient absorption from day one.
2. Strengthens Immune System
Inclusion of essential amino acids, vitamins A, D, and E, and trace elements like selenium and zinc helps in developing a chick’s natural defense mechanisms.
3. Improves Gut Health
These feeds are enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber to promote a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for digestion and disease resistance.
4. Reduces Mortality
By supporting early development, pre-starter poultry feeds significantly reduce the chances of early chick mortality due to nutritional deficiencies or weak immunity.
5. Prepares for Transition to Starter Feed
Chicks that begin their life with a high-quality pre-starter feed adapt more easily to starter feeds, ensuring a smoother growth curve and consistent performance.
Skylark’s Approach to Pre-Starter Poultry Feeds
At Skylark Feeds, we’ve spent decades perfecting feed formulations that meet the exact needs of Indian poultry farms. Our pre-starter poultry feeds are manufactured using precision-mixed, steam-conditioned, and pelletized processes that enhance nutrient availability.
Features of Skylark Pre-Starter Feeds:
- Crumble form for easy consumption
- High protein content (20–23%)
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Contains natural antioxidants and gut health boosters
- No antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs)
Backed by R&D
Our nutritionists and technical teams continuously research optimal feed formulations. We also test performance in real farm conditions to ensure our poultry feeds deliver consistent, reliable results.
Common Ingredients Used in Pre-Starter Feeds
- Soybean meal & corn – Energy and protein base
- Fish meal or meat meal – Highly digestible animal protein
- Vegetable oils – Concentrated energy
- Dicalcium phosphate & limestone – For skeletal development
- DL-methionine & L-lysine – Essential amino acids for muscle growth
- Probiotics & prebiotics – Gut health support
- Vitamin & mineral premix – Complete micro-nutrient profile
These components are carefully balanced to ensure that young chicks can thrive, even under varying farm conditions.
When and How to Use Pre-Starter Feeds
- Age Group: Day 0 to Day 10 (up to Day 14 for slow-grower breeds)
- Feeding Frequency: Ad libitum (free access)
- Transition: Gradually mix with starter feed from Day 8 onwards
- Water Supply: Ensure clean, cool water is always available to enhance feed intake and digestion
Using fresh, high-quality poultry feeds during the brooding period is non-negotiable for healthy flock performance.
Why Choose Skylark Feeds?
- ✔ 30+ years of expertise in poultry nutrition
- ✔ State-of-the-art manufacturing and feed mill testing
- ✔ PAN India distribution network
- ✔ Technical support for feed planning
- ✔ Transparent quality assurance and sourcing
Whether you’re raising broilers, layers, or breeders, Skylark Feeds offers specialized poultry feeds for every stage of growth—starting from day one.
Conclusion
Strong foundations lead to stronger outcomes. In poultry farming, it all starts with pre-starter feeds. When you invest in high-quality, nutrient-rich feeds during the first 7–10 days of a chick’s life, you’re not just improving chick health—you’re improving your farm’s future profitability.
Skylark Feeds ensures that your chicks start strong, grow consistently, and deliver maximum ROI throughout the production cycle. With science-backed formulations and unwavering quality, Skylark is your trusted partner in poultry nutrition.
FAQs
Q1. What are pre-starter poultry feeds?
Pre-starter poultry feeds are specially formulated diets given to chicks from day 1 to 10 to support early growth and immunity.
Q2. Why are pre-starter feeds important for chicks?
They provide essential nutrients that promote digestive health, boost immunity, and ensure uniform flock development.
Q3. How is Skylark’s pre-starter feed different?
Skylark’s pre-starter feeds are nutrient-rich, highly digestible, and free from harmful additives, ensuring better chick performance.
Q4. When should I transition from pre-starter to starter feed?
Typically, from day 8–10, pre-starter feeds can be gradually mixed with starter feed to ensure a smooth transition.
Q5. Can pre-starter feeds reduce chick mortality?
Yes, by enhancing gut health and early immunity, high-quality pre-starter feeds significantly reduce early chick mortality.
