Can anyone tell me the protein requirements for different breeds and

[007Dawn]

ages?

We just learned today that one of our chicks is reciving to much protein and is now having symptons reseamling a slipped tendon. I thought that was strange.

So it got me thinking what are the protein requirements for the variouse breeds and does it vary for the ages?

We have I think 5 different breeds!

Thank you if you are able to help!

 

[speckledhen]

Has nothing to do with breed of chicken at all. It has to do with the age of the chicken. Chicks need about 18-22% protein, no more, till laying age. Sometimes, people use grower (not combined with starter) to slow down the development process just before laying age, but many cannot get just grower. At laying age, 16-18% is common. Who told you your chick has too much protein? I have had one with a slipped tendon just on starter/grower feed, no extra protein.

You just do not want chicks to have gamebird starter that is 30%,which is too high for chickens, is good for guineas, etc.

 

[007Dawn]

I'm confused!

Thank you for your response! We believed it was a slipped tendon due to pictures we saw that looks the same. But the abondmen and the other foot is slightly swollen. We thought perhapes infection?

The guy who works with a vet told us this morning that his body is growin oddly due to to much protein. We were giving a chicken starter at 24%. He told us to cut him down to 19%. All the chickens are suppose to be "about" the same age but he is clearly much larger than the others that are 5 weeks, I would say double the size. So I wish I could give an age but I do not know what it is!

We are giving them vitamin supplements that we just started giving them but other than that they eat lettuce from the garden and yesterday we gave them leftover corn on the cob that was fresh. They have eaten bugs that pass through the cage, or try to pass through and that is it.

We do not use any pesticides on our property and we have not quite 5 acres.

I don't know if any of this helps?

Again thank you!

 

[007Dawn]

I know I keep saying hIM but she is a she!

We have 6 other animals that are he's. Sorry!

 

[speckledhen]

If this is a meat bird, that may be your problem. They often have leg issues and are HUGE. Is it a white bird? CornishX chicks must have their feed restricted or they will eat themselves to death. That is the only feed difference with breeds I can even imagine. That said, I think a slightly lower protein starter/grower would be good anyway. I raise mine on 18-20% protein and have no issues.

 

[Akane]

24% is getting slightly high. I feed my bantam chicks gamebird starter but it's only 22%. Most chick starters aren't any higher than that and all the ones I've seen are 18%. At 5weeks I don't think 24% protein would be causing problems already but I suppose it's possible.

How long have you had them? If you got them when they had no or few feathers so you know they were within days of each other if not the same age and this one is now twice the size then I agree you might have a meat bird on your hands. Either that or the rest are all bantams. Different breeds of standards don't have that much difference in growth unless you're dealing with meat birds.