Ugh! Its hard to maintain a healthy protein ration of feed when the makers generally provide 16% protein on most of their products. Thats because the manufacturers have determined that this is the correct amount needed without unwanted internal issues or health concerns. In other wise, its the safest for their industry to manufacture without implications from the customer. Medicated starter grower has 18% protein and can be given up until point of lay. That seems confusing because you generally mix the younguns in with older birds from grow out box to coop around 10-13 weeks. 2 blends of food rations is not likely and you want them all eating the same mixture. So, what to do is a common question when you notice feather eating and feather pecking of valuable tail feather plumage that starts in the juvenile stage and carries on through the molting stage. Yes lack of protein is the common cause. Tips that may help. You can continue on with "unmedicated" grower feed ,which is still 18%, if it is available to you. I like my egg layers eating scratch grains because it has valuable grain nutrients not often mixed with feed blends, but it only has 8% protein value. So---, I serve this up as a treat early morning and make them scratch for it in their run area. Now the serious side is finding a product to suffice the correct amount of protein to curb that feather eating problem! The majic ration of protein level needed during molting and juveniles growing into adulthood is somewhere around 18-20% protein needed. 16% is insufficient! Adding oyster shell small quantity bags to 16% 40lb bags is a waste because it wont increase the protein level high enough in your mixture to do much good. Not saying the use of oyster shell is not beneficial, just that its hard to justify how much needs to be added to arrive at 18-20% protein.
Back to products that offer 18-20% protein. Not having much luck with that, so I cheat the system with my own blend to aveage that amount. Only sound advice is to read product labels of ingredients, check their protein levels, and see what it takes to create your own healthy creation best suited for the breeds you are raising and their performance over time. Good luck.
