Feed Protein level confusion

[SouthernParadise]

Ive been feeding kalmbach turkey starter feed 28% to my peachicks for the last few years. Today I joined a group on FB that declared peachicks shouldn’t have anything more than 18% protein. Have the guidelines changed for some reason?

Thanks

 

[KsKingBee]

Ive been feeding kalmbach turkey starter feed 28% to my peachicks for the last few years. Today I joined a group on FB that declared peachicks shouldn’t have anything more than 18% protein. Have the guidelines changed for some reason?

Thanks

Peafowl are not chickens or turkeys but they are closer to turkeys. There is a reason why game bird feed is high protein, because they need it. We start our chicks on 20 to 23% non-medicated chick starter, when they go to the ground and have lots of space to run off extra energy they get 28% game bird feed.

Just because turkey feed is high-protein doesn't make it a good alternative. Turkeys are raised for meat production in a short amount of time, peafowl are not domestic meat birds. Peas are lean and long-lived birds and do not require all the additives in turkey feed, especially the high calcium.

Edited the protein above...

 

[SouthernParadise]

Peafowl are not chickens or turkeys but they are closer to turkeys. There is a reason why game bird feed is high protein, because they need it. We start our chicks on 20 to 23% non-medicated chick starter, when they go to the ground and have lots of space to run off extra energy they get 28% game bird feed.

Just because turkey feed is high-protein doesn't make it a good alternative. Turkeys are raised for meat production in a short amount of time, peafowl are not domestic meat birds. Peas are lean and long-lived birds and do not require all the additives in turkey feed, especially the high calcium.

Edited the protein above...

So I should switch to gamebird? Is there a recommendation for brand? All I’m seeing is pheasant or gamebird/turkey. I was confused back when I started and spoke to the people at kalmbach and they told me the turkey/gamebird was correct. It’s a bit confusing the way they name their feeds. The only gamebird feed Ive found that says strictly gamebird is mazuri. And the protein on that is 30%.

 

[KsKingBee]

Kalmbach makes great feed, I have never seen a gamebird/turkey feed but if they recommended it then it is probably fine for peas. Especially if it lists gamebird first, that would tell me it is made for gamebirds and is also fine for turkeys. The people that tell you that the protein is too high for chicks are probably saying it causes leg problems. That may be true because the chicks are confined and can not utilize the excess energy. That is why I feed the lower % chick starter until they are spread out on the ground at twelve weeks.

 

[SouthernParadise]

Kalmbach makes great feed, I have never seen a gamebird/turkey feed but if they recommended it then it is probably fine for peas. Especially if it lists gamebird first, that would tell me it is made for gamebirds and is also fine for turkeys. The people that tell you that the protein is too high for chicks are probably saying it causes leg problems. That may be true because the chicks are confined and can not utilize the excess energy. That is why I feed the lower % chick starter until they are spread out on the ground at twelve weeks.

They claimed it causes wry neck and leg problems. My chicks aren’t on the ground outside, but they aren’t in a small brooder either. So I guess that’s why I haven’t seen any issues. Thank you for your input though. I appreciate it

 

[KsKingBee]

They claimed it causes wry neck and leg problems. My chicks aren’t on the ground outside, but they aren’t in a small brooder either. So I guess that’s why I haven’t seen any issues. Thank you for your input though. I appreciate it

This year I have had about six cases of either leg splaying or wry neck, every one of them I can trace back to malpositioned chicks that had problems hatching. The 'stargazers' were quickly fixed by giving them vitamin E. Those with splayed legs did not turn out well. None of that was caused by being fed high protein. Remember, if it isn't broke don't fix it, you were doing fine so keep doing what you were doing.

 

[SouthernParadise]

This year I have had about six cases of either leg splaying or wry neck, every one of them I can trace back to malpositioned chicks that had problems hatching. The 'stargazers' were quickly fixed by giving them vitamin E. Those with splayed legs did not turn out well. None of that was caused by being fed high protein. Remember, if it isn't broke don't fix it, you were doing fine so keep doing what you were doing.

I had one assist I had to do this year and it was a spalding. Curled toes only thank goodness, but positioned funny in the egg. I mostly raise chickens, so when they said the protein level caused wry neck I was confused, because like you I just give Vit E. to my chickens if they experience that. Since switching to the Kalmbach for all my birds, I haven’t had any recent issues. Thank you again for your help.