Feed Question

[JenBoughtHens]

I am going to be hatching turkeys, chickens, and guineas this month (hopefully if all goes well)
Can I start them all on chick starter? Or can I start them all on game bird starter? I would like to brood them together for convenience and so the chickens will help teach the turkeys to eat and drink.

 

[TattooedMama]

I don't know anything about Guineas but the Turkeys need a higher protein content than chick starter. I know some people mix chick and turkey starter together to get a protein content of around 24% (I asked recently about feeding my baby poults and the general consensus was no less than a 24% protein feed under 8 weeks of age). It was also suggested however that some types of chickens may not do well with the increased protein. You may be best off to get a small bag of each chick and turkey starter and mix them together to get something more than 20% but less than 30%.

 

[JenBoughtHens]

Thanks. I will try to do that (mix them). I wonder if the increased protein would just make the chicks fat or...be hard on their organs or what.
Hopefully it will all work out.

 

[TattooedMama]

Thanks. I will try to do that (mix them). I wonder if the increased protein would just make the chicks fat or...be hard on their organs or what.
Hopefully it will all work out.

They shouldn't get fat, at least I don't think so, lol. Out here they have some chick starter at 22% so its not too far off base, though Purina's is 18%. The concern with high protein is the birds growing too fast which for any animal is hard on their bodies and joints. I would lower it once everyone gets to 8 weeks old to avoid any problems.