Chick Starter Vs. Game Starter for several flocks....

[Daffy Duck]

Dear Family,

We started raising meat birds this year. We currently have 150 Cornish Cross in Chicken Tractors, 100 (fryers/roosters) in the brooder, 18 Turkeys at 6 weeks, 30+ ducks, a small flock of Lavender Orpingtons (with a goose) and a couple other small flocks both with geese. OH! and we got half a dozen Lavender Guineas.

My questions is simple, sort of. Which Feed should I be giving who? Our local feed vendor talked me out of giving the Cornish Cross Game Starter cuz they said it had too much protein. But i thought these fast growing MEAT birds needed more protein?

The Ducks, they told me to feed the same as Layers. Chick starter then Layer at 6 mos.
Same with the geese.

Turkeys are getting Game Starter crumble, then Game Pellet at 2 mos.

I just want to know if we are on the right track. Feed adds up and i want my flocks to be healthy.

Thanks so much for any help.

Thomas and AJ
Central Whidbey Funny Farm

 

[pibb]

What percent is the "Cornish Cross Game Starter" feed? What feed did they suggest for the meatbirds?

I don't know anything about the ducks and geese, but if they are laying eggs then I would guess they need extra calcium just as chickens do.

 

[Daffy Duck]

the layer crumble is at 20% and the Gamebird is 28%. We are following a YouTube channel where this Farmstead is giving Gamebird to thier CC. We were advised against....

 

[pibb]

I feed my white leghorns 20% protein because I let them free range and give them treats which basically brings down the daily protein count. If your meatbirds only eat chicken feed, then 20% protein would probably suffice, saving you money, but if you let them free range then 28% may work out better since grasses and plants would lower the daily protein.

Since your are in a chicken tractor with no real free range, I would try 20-22% protein at first and see what happens. Feeding them 28% won't hurt the meatbirds but it is more expensive.

 

[Daffy Duck]

Actually, the feed store said that the higher protein will cause the birds to plug up and have heart attacks....?

 

[pibb]

I do believe cornish cross commonly have heart problems but Ive never heard that.