Concerns about turkey starter crumble feed

[kosherpickle]

Hi everyone,

I have some concerns about the last hatch I had. There were 6 chicks that I fed grounded and sifted turkey starter crumble non medicated feed to. The brand was Shur Gain.

Prior to this hatch, I had fed my other chicks (Coturnix Quails btw) seed and some purina kitten chow. I didnt want to feed them kitten food but was worried about the protein, so I thought that would help with higher protein. I lived in the city and didnt have access to turkey started food which had higher protein.

Now we live in the country and I can get the turkey starter crumble non medicated food no problem, but here's my issue:


I've noticed that the chicks that were started on the turkey crumble grew much faster and the males were crowing at 6 weeks.
Compared to the chicks I had hatched prior, it really surprised me at how much faster the chicks grew on the turkey feed compared to the chicks I had on seed and kitten food. I'm trying to find out if there is growth hormones added to the "Shur Gain" brand type turkey starter feed but with no success.

I'm incubating at the moment and I'm reluctant to continue with the Shur gain. I'd much prefer organic starter feed but I'm having troubles finding it in this area. We are in New Brunswick Canada just north east of St John in case anyone knows or can point me in the right direction.

Would grinding seed with peanut be a good alternative for the chicks that will be hatching in a couple weeks?

I welcome any suggestions or input.

My last post here was about transforming the dog kennel into a quail coop which is still in progress and will make an update hopefully soon. Almost done.


Thanks very much in advance for any help.

Regards,

Tracy

 

[Quail Jailer]

Hi everyone,

I have some concerns about the last hatch I had. There were 6 chicks that I fed grounded and sifted turkey starter crumble non medicated feed to. The brand was Shur Gain.

Prior to this hatch, I had fed my other chicks (Coturnix Quails btw) seed and some purina kitten chow. I didnt want to feed them kitten food but was worried about the protein, so I thought that would help with higher protein. I lived in the city and didnt have access to turkey started food which had higher protein.

Now we live in the country and I can get the turkey starter crumble non medicated food no problem, but here's my issue:


I've noticed that the chicks that were started on the turkey crumble grew much faster and the males were crowing at 6 weeks.
Compared to the chicks I had hatched prior, it really surprised me at how much faster the chicks grew on the turkey feed compared to the chicks I had on seed and kitten food. I'm trying to find out if there is growth hormones added to the "Shur Gain" brand type turkey starter feed but with no success.

I'm incubating at the moment and I'm reluctant to continue with the Shur gain. I'd much prefer organic starter feed but I'm having troubles finding it in this area. We are in New Brunswick Canada just north east of St John in case anyone knows or can point me in the right direction.

Would grinding seed with peanut be a good alternative for the chicks that will be hatching in a couple weeks?

I welcome any suggestions or input.

My last post here was about transforming the dog kennel into a quail coop which is still in progress and will make an update hopefully soon. Almost done.


Thanks very much in advance for any help.

Regards,

Tracy

Use the starter, the growth and development you described is normal, if it took longer with the kitten food , theres your culprit. My last batch of hens started laying at 37 days old, because of good nutrition, no hormones.

 

[luvburds]

What are you using QJ, I'm using southern states and might try what you are using

 

[Quail Jailer]

One of my local feed stores is owned and operated by a certified dude that used to run a hatchery,

At any rate, he is custom mixing my starter, its a 30% protein game bird mix.

I feed that till first egg, then switch to a 22% layer mix. The extra calcium is not really good for the

roos, but to be honest they won't live long enough for it to become an issue. And I only keep a few

on the layer, the rest get 30% till slaughter.

 

[luvburds]

You are lucky indeed

 

[mtgrl]

They are probably growing faster because of the higher protein content. Afterall, that's what protein is for-to build muscle and grow. If the chicks weren't getting a balanced diet and grew slower before, it was probably due to malnourishment.

 

[kosherpickle]

Wow, Thanks everyone for the input. I'll feed the chick the turkey starter food like before. Just needed some guidance TY!

Tracy