Feed store sold me game starter for chickens

[Scoutmedic]

Hey guys,

I was at the fed store today for some chick starter. I have tried the organic stuff, but the girls picked out all the corn and left everything else behind. All they had in stock was medicated chick starter or non-medicated game bird starter. I got some of the game bird starter cause one of my girls is laying and the others have not started yet.

When I got home, I realized the crude protein for the game starter was 30%! Should I mix in scratch to bring it down, or will it be ok for a few days?

Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

I have on occasion purchased game feed with a very high protein. Yes, I "cut" it by using scratch grains. 30% gamebird feed would allow you to roughly feed 2 parts grains for 1 part game feed. Too much protein is just going to be excreted. Make your percentage come out to around 18-20% and you'd be golden.

The problem is that if you have chicks under 8 weeks of age, coarser scratch grains are not easy for them to eat. What are the ages of the birds?

 

[fried green eggs]

I don't think it is a problem. I have been feeding game starter to my chicks because I have 3 turkey poults in with them. I was told my chicks would be fine eating the game starter but, they will grow faster than if they were fed the lower protein chick starter/grower formula. The poults would not do well on the lower protein chick starter. If you have one laying in the group - do you have oyster shells available for her? If you want to lower the protein just buy another bag of lower protein and mix the two bags.

 

[Scoutmedic]

They are all about 4-5 months old right now. They have been on chick starter so far. I was waiting until the rest started laying before switching to the layer pellets.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Then you'd be good to go. Many top bird keepers feed the Game Feed / Scratch grains combo.

 

[fried green eggs]

You could by a bag of layer formula pellets and mix it with the game starter crumbs now.

 

[Scoutmedic]

I have oyster shell available in its own feeder at all times for extra calcium. I also offer moistened, broken up alfalfa cubes for greens and small amounts of scratch/oats/layer pellets/mealworms for daily treats.

A 50/50 mix of game starter and layer pellets would be fine then? That would help them transition better to the pellets than just switching their feed.

 

[fried green eggs]

Yes and it will help get chick starter used up and get hens used to pellet formula.

 

[Scoutmedic]

Thank you all! I appreciate the help.