Feed Protein level confusion

[Artistickatt]

Peacock Passion

 

[KsKingBee]

Peacock Passion

Yeah, I looked at that group and noticed a bunch of amateurs acting like they new what they were talking about. Gives meaning to "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing".

 

[SouthernParadise]

Yeah, I looked at that group and noticed a bunch of amateurs acting like they new what they were talking about. Gives meaning to "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing".

I joined and left all in 24 hrs

 

[SouthernParadise]

That group moderation gets under my skin. I understand why they are so forceful about advice, but there seems to be no room for variation. It is not like it is wrong but it isn’t the only way. I treat my info on this forum with more weight.

I researched food this year A LOT and decided on Nutrena chick starter that is 20%, and will probably go to their All Flock after (but may go to Kalmbach, it was a close tie for me)

When I read the group rules it specifically said we weren’t allowed to even mention the word “all flock”.

 

[Zenmonkey]

I'm using Kalmbach's gamebird and turkey starter this year on quail, pheasant, and turkey. Sorry, I can't comment on its suitability for peafowl.

It is a 28% protein crumble. The bag labeled "non-GMO" is unmedicated. Product Code: N450CR.

The bag labeled "Start Right" is medicated. Product Code: 451450AB.

The local feed mill struggled to understand this. I preferred the unmedicated (please correct me if I'm mistaken for this), and Kalmbach's brochure list these two nearly identical feeds separated by several pages.

Interesting point, if you mix Kalmbach's "all flock" maker crumble (20%) with the turkey and gamebird starter (28%), in a 50/50 mix, you get a 24% feed. That's not useful if you're feeding literal pallets of feed, unless you've got a cattle feed style feed mixer. But at that rate, you can probably ask Kalmbach's to blend exactly what you want anyway. For the number of birds I've got, layering a gallon measure of each at a time into a 20 gallon feed bin works.

Feedback explaining why I'm doing it wrong is welcomed. I don't get any smarter otherwise.

 

[KsKingBee]

I'm using Kalmbach's gamebird and turkey starter this year on quail, pheasant, and turkey. Sorry, I can't comment on its suitability for peafowl.

It is a 28% protein crumble. The bag labeled "non-GMO" is unmedicated. Product Code: N450CR.

The bag labeled "Start Right" is medicated. Product Code: 451450AB.

The local feed mill struggled to understand this. I preferred the unmedicated (please correct me if I'm mistaken for this), and Kalmbach's brochure list these two nearly identical feeds separated by several pages.

Interesting point, if you mix Kalmbach's "all flock" maker crumble (20%) with the turkey and gamebird starter (28%), in a 50/50 mix, you get a 24% feed. That's not useful if you're feeding literal pallets of feed, unless you've got a cattle feed style feed mixer. But at that rate, you can probably ask Kalmbach's to blend exactly what you want anyway. For the number of birds I've got, layering a gallon measure of each at a time into a 20 gallon feed bin works.

Feedback explain why I'm doing it wrong is welcomed. I don't get any smarter otherwise.

What is your goal?

 

[Zenmonkey]

To keep my birds alive and amusing me, mostly.

Or if you meant my goal in posting the above, just that maybe what I'm doing will be useful to someone else. Alternatively, maybe someone will point out a better way to me.

 

[KsKingBee]

No, what percentage number was your target goal and why that number as opposed the the full 28% feed?

 

[Zenmonkey]

Oh! Thank you! I've seen 24% recommended several places for pheasants (I know we're talking about peafowl) and I don't see many commercial 24% feeds. But there are 27, 28, and 30% feeds, and 18 and 20% feeds. And mixing one if the former with one of the latter at 50/50 will come pretty close to 24%.

 

[KsKingBee]

Oh! Thank you! I've seen 24% recommended several places for pheasants (I know we're talking about peafowl) and I don't see many commercial 24% feeds. But there are 27, 28, and 30% feeds, and 18 and 20% feeds. And mixing one if the former with one of the latter at 50/50 will come pretty close to 24%.

Protein levels in commercial feed range from 16% to 32% but that is not the whole story when choosing a feed for peafowl. Unfortunately, there is no feed expressly formulated for peafowl, so we have to choose a feed that fits the closest for their needs. Look at the naming of the feeds, chick starter, layer, meat builder, all flock, etc., that tells you what it is specifically intended for and what the purpose is. Peafowl are the longest living bird we keep and the nutritional needs are much different than birds grown for meat or eggs. Peas are meant to be lean and trim, not squat and fat which they have slowly begun to be here in the USA. Feeding them as you would for fattening up for slaughter has ruined the natural structure of the peafowl. Everything about a pea is made of protein, meat, eggs, bones, and especially feathers, of which they have and produce more of than any of the other fowl kept domestically. Turkey feeds are the worst as they are formulated for fast growth and a short life. Layer feed is a close second as it is intended for year-long egg laying. Peas naturally lay one clutch per year and only need 1.5% calcium, higher than this is detrimental to the kidneys of the cock breeders so that should definitely not be fed year-long. Look at the specific uses of the feeds available and pick a good high protein feed that is meant for game birds. It is the minerals and micro-ingredients that is just as important as the percentage of protein.