Can we talk protien %

[Going Quackers]

I noticed the other day... yeah, always a day late and a dollar short lol

The page JW did, for duckling care(great job btw!) there is this ideal protein chart....

Age

0-2 weeks

2-8 weeks

8-20 weeks

First egg
Protein level

18-20%

16-18%

15-16%

16-18%










Now, my feed is an all flock, 18% i feed it all the way through BUT I am seeing this 8-20wk 15-16% protein?? so now me puzzled, i have yet to encounter a problem but hey, you never know... there is a possibility i maybe changing foods, with the increase of the chicken pop around here, i may switch to only duck food and then only chicken... the duck/goose grower i am considering is a 16% protein.

Any thoughts? i need to refresh my brain on Storey's guide, but my kobo has been acting up and my book is trapped there. dumb e reader.

 

[jdywntr]

GQ, I also have fed Flock Raiser and am now feeding an 18% starter to most and the adults have layer available. I think when Storey's Guide says "ideal" that is exactly what it is. I don't think it is practical for most of us to do this with the feed we have avaialble. I have cut the protein level with grains but it just isn't practical for me since then the chickens pick out all of the grain and leave the feed.

The lower recommended protein will keep the ducklings from growing and developing too quickly. If I remember correctly, yours are able to go out and forage (weather permitting) so anything that they are eating outside (grass, plants etc) will lower the overall protein level that they are injesting. Also, any treats given will affect protein level too.

I think the recommended levels would be more important for people who literally only feed commercial diets and don't/can't have the birds out to forage at all.

 

[Going Quackers]

GQ, I also have fed Flock Raiser and am now feeding an 18% starter to most and the adults have layer available. I think when Storey's Guide says "ideal" that is exactly what it is. I don't think it is practical for most of us to do this with the feed we have avaialble. I have cut the protein level with grains but it just isn't practical for me since then the chickens pick out all of the grain and leave the feed.

The lower recommended protein will keep the ducklings from growing and developing too quickly. If I remember correctly, yours are able to go out and forage (weather permitting) so anything that they are eating outside (grass, plants etc) will lower the overall protein level that they are injesting. Also, any treats given will affect protein level too.

I think the recommended levels would be more important for people who literally only feed commercial diets and don't/can't have the birds out to forage at all.

Good points, i appreciate you rambling with me on this. I was surprised, as i was like.. huh? what lol The babies by that point should be out more, we are getting out a wee bit now but my weather is er... well not lovely. My main flock is out, heck they beg at the gate like dogs...

I don't use layer since i have the boys and that old debate on the calcium, i prefer to just skip the controversy and use oyster shell.

My chickens don't get near the ducks so there food is their own that is why i may do separate set-ups... but still not sure, just my flock is on the climb again, not sure how that keep happening..

 

[Amiga]

There is conflicting information about protein, I followed Storey's Guide recommendations and we all seem fine.

There is a concern about high protein causing angel wing. But Wifezilla cited a number of publications that argued that angel wing is a genetic condition, having nothing to do with protein (if I recall correctly).

 

[Nebraskagirl]

There is conflicting information about protein, I followed Storey's Guide recommendations and we all seem fine.

There is a concern about high protein causing angel wing. But Wifezilla cited a number of publications that argued that angel wing is a genetic condition, having nothing to do with protein (if I recall correctly).

Really? I have always heard angel wing is caused by protein. This is interesting. Thanks for posting amiga!

 

[Amiga]

Here is one of the conversations that took place before I came to the Duck Side.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/111982/angel-wing-too-much-protein-or

 

[Going Quackers]

There is conflicting information about protein, I followed Storey's Guide recommendations and we all seem fine.

There is a concern about high protein causing angel wing. But Wifezilla cited a number of publications that argued that angel wing is a genetic condition, having nothing to do with protein (if I recall correctly).

Well i somewhat do, but i as i say run the 18% throughout. I have heard that with the AW too.

 

[Going Quackers]

Really? I have always heard angel wing is caused by protein. This is interesting. Thanks for posting amiga!

I think they are finding there is more to it than that because too many variables are coming forth pointing to reasons beyond that.

 

[r4eboxer]

I noticed the other day... yeah, always a day late and a dollar short lol

The page JW did, for duckling care(great job btw!) there is this ideal protein chart....

Age

0-2 weeks

2-8 weeks

8-20 weeks

First egg
Protein level

18-20%

16-18%

15-16%

16-18%










Now, my feed is an all flock, 18% i feed it all the way through BUT I am seeing this 8-20wk 15-16% protein?? so now me puzzled, i have yet to encounter a problem but hey, you never know... there is a possibility i maybe changing foods, with the increase of the chicken pop around here, i may switch to only duck food and then only chicken... the duck/goose grower i am considering is a 16% protein.

Any thoughts? i need to refresh my brain on Storey's guide, but my kobo has been acting up and my book is trapped there. dumb e reader.

I'm reading Storiey's guide now and the chart is from the book with the exception of 8-20 weeks the book recommends 7-20 weeks. I did read that 20% feed for breeding seasons if you are going to get the strongest ducklings. If my memory from my reading last evening serves me correct, David said to feed gamebird starter if you cannot find a duck feed.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm reading Storiey's guide now and the chart is from the book with the exception of 8-20 weeks the book recommends 7-20 weeks. I did read that 20% feed for breeding seasons if you are going to get the strongest ducklings. If my memory from my reading last evening serves me correct, David said to feed gamebird starter if you cannot find a duck feed.

Interesting... as i say i have just the 18% and don't change it, the ducklings that make it through the first 24hrs have all been strong, hardy birds. These current 4 are no exception. No gamebird here, i wouldn't even know where to get anything like that hard enough to get ducks feeds. We just don't have the selections. Matter of fact my town doesn't even have a feed mill, closed years ago. We have to drive which is a pain, if you forget stuff lol