Well, yes and no. It's all a matter of how detailed you want to get, and how much you trust the company making your feed.
Of course it's true that the amino acid balance is more important than the total crude protein level when a food is formulated. But there are more than 22 amino acids...
That was me who recommended the half and half. In that example, Jeff had recommended a 22-24% protein diet. I was using Purina products, with a game bird starter of 30% and a chick starter of 18%. By mixing them in equal parts, you get a 24% final product.
But you make an excellent point...
If your goal is 22-24% protein, and your chick starter is already at 21.8% protein, then you probably don't need the game bird starter. Just add a little fish (or really, any kind of meat -- chickens are omnivores and can eat anything -- just cook it for safety issues) and you'll boost that...
One option that might work for you would be to get an adult trio or quad from a breeder with young children. Cockerels are a bit unpredictable -- they can start out as lap birds and suddenly get testosterone poisoning and change their temperament quickly. Basically they're teenage boys with...
Buckeyes thrive on free range management!! My Buckeye works hard from dawn to dusk, constantly foraging and loving it. She is independent, curious, and friendly. And she's meatier than my Speckled Sussex girls, which is a breed known for their table qualities. At 11 months old, she weighs 7...
That's wonderful! I'm glad it works for other people also. It's so much easier on us, and so much more comfortable for the hens, than the elevated wire bottom cage. Thank you so much for the feedback.
I have a single Buckeye pullet (ordered 10, but the breeder was short that week) that is part of an 11 month old flock with one Speckled Sussex pullet, one Barnevelder pullet, one Speckled Sussex cockerel, and seven turkeys (non-broad breasted). (Yes, I know, weird flock -- it was supposed to...
Don't give up too soon. You're half way home. I made the mistake of letting one of mine free after 2 days. She mingled with the flock all morning, then in the evening went back to the nest. Had to start the time all over again.
How often they brood depends on the individual line, and the...
I remember those days -- moved every year, and everything I owned fit in my Volkswagon Bug and my friend's Chevy Van. Took 4 hours to pack up and go, if I wanted to do it carefully and stay organized and thoroughly clean afterwards. Life was so simple then. My last two moves were across...
If the behavior/symptoms started shortly after eating the slug, as opposed to before the slug, the slug could be stuck. The slime they produce can be like glue! I used to have a pet chicken that loved slugs, but after eating a few her beak would get glued shut. I tried lots of things to...