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Does Extra Protein Make a Real Difference?

Discussion in 'Meat Birds ETC' started by Salt and Light, Feb 18, 2011.

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  1. Feb 18, 2011 #1
    Salt and Light

    Salt and Light Songster

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    May 20, 2008
    Osteen, FL
    I am not 100% convinced that feeding higher protein feed to meat birds makes any difference in growth. I've raised birds on 18% chick starter and the last batch on 20% grower. There was no detectable or significant difference in the grow time for these birds. Does anyone have research showing that high protein feed produces faster growing birds?
     

  4. Feb 18, 2011 #2
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Free Ranging

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    Feb 2, 2009
    Southeast Louisiana
    I find your percentages interesting. Here Starter for chicken chicks is 20 to 22% and Grower is 16%. I'm not sure what you are feeding yours?

    Here is a link to a Florida extension site about feeding broilers. It might be helpful.

    Feeding Broilers
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps035
     
  6. Feb 18, 2011 #3
    terri9630

    terri9630 Songster

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    Mar 22, 2009
    New Mexico
    If you used two different batches of birds there may have been enough of a difference between breeding that the protien difference wasn't noticable. If you really want to compare get a batch of chicks and divide them in half and feed each the same amount of feed for the same amount of time. Then you will have the same genetics on both types of feed to compare.
     

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