animal protein chicken feed

[Molliep2]

I am currently using a chicken feed with plant protein but I would like to try out a chicken feed with animal protein in it, and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I think @Texas Kiki has a list of feeds and their ingredients that you could peruse. I would also read over the labels at your local feed store, since that's what is available to you without having to resort to buying online.

I found out my local feed mill/feed store actually has their feed labels online which surprised the heck out of me. TSC does as well but I have to drive a bit further for them.

This is what I do for my chickens animal proteins/fat needs. I mix a few scoops of chicken scratch, a few scoops of the Maintenance Cat Chow (inexpensive, but pretty high quality stuff) in a bucket.

Then when its time to lock up the chickens I just toss a few hand fulls of this mix into their run. They come running the moment then see me with the bucket!

 

[Kiki]

My sheet doesn't contain the actual ingredients because ingredients vary within a brand name depending on where it is made/time of year.

Sample of my sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1upDVFXEQPK8PUIF6Sj3Bt5CUQfX1PlTEhg799sDT-qM/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Kiki]

I am actual not sure of any with animal protein in them, sorry.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

My apologies Miss Kiki, I am sleep deprived and got my wires crossed.

To the OP, with soy being so cheap its hard to find animal protein anymore. I looked at a few options and found an inexpensive but quality cat chow the most cost effective and time effective option.

If you have more time on your hands than I, (wouldn't be hard, we both work and have 3 kids, pets, etc) you could look at raising meal worms and such like.

 

[Fairview01]

Catfish chow from the feed store. 32% protein. Throw a few ounces each day as a treat . They may not recognize it as food
Just pick up their regular food for the day or two and hunger will motivate them to explore this new food option and look forward to it.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Better read the label on the Catfish Chow, the inexpensive stuff from TSC is Soy/Corn. You have to buy the really expensive Gamefish Chow to get it made out of actual fish.

Some say if you overdue the fish chow, the eggs get a fishy taste to them. Don't know if this is true or just a myth, but worth noting at least.

Initially, I was planning on going the fish food route. But after price checking locally, I went with Cat food as it was the cheapest high quality source of animal fats/proteins in my area. Plus Dave Holderread is one of the most respected waterfowl breeders around, and he recommends cat food route.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Scratch & Peck uses fish meal. I also feed Payback (which doesn't list ingredients online, think it changes depending on time of year), my bag of layer pellets has some fish meal but also includes soy meal.

 

[Sleepytime]

I believe that Purina Gamebird feed has animal protein in it.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I believe that Purina Gamebird feed has animal protein in it.

You have to check the labels on gamebird feed also. Purina at my feed store went vegetarian a few years ago.