Feeding gamebird starter to cornish X's....is this okay????

[cjeanean]

My cornish crosses were on regular chick starter for about 2.5 to three weeks (thats how long they were at the feed store before we bought them) but I don't want them on medicated food anymore. I can't get chick starter in non-medicated form, so I've been feeding them gamebird starter. It's 22% protein, which is the same protein level as the meat chick grower, but it's A LOT cheaper, which is why I've been feeding that instead of the chick grower. Is this okay to do????

 

[greyfields]

22% is OK. The question I'm wondering is if the game bird ration constitutes a balanced ration for the chickens or not.

Some gamebird rations are 28% protein. That's too much for broilers and it should be stretched with cracked corn (or other grains).

 

[cjeanean]

I'm not sure if it's balanced, I know that when they get older and are off the medicated feed I buy all purpose poultry feed for them, and it's for ducks and chickens. 15% or 16% protein......this stuff is only 22%, I made sure, says it right on the bag. I've heard of ppl feeding gamebird starter to chickens when they don't want the medicated feed, but I just wanted to make sure. They're growing incredibly fast, that's for sure!!! I've only had them 3 or 4 days, and they were already going on their 3rd week when I bought them (got 'em for $0.50 apiece cause the store wanted to get rid of them). I got 30 of them. I just don't want to kill them LOL, which is why I want to make sure it'll work for them. Thanks!