Feeding Orientals...

[HickoryFlatsFarm]

I just got gifted a pair of Shamo's- about a year old. The person who gave them to me inherited them and was just feeding them basic scratch. I have heard that Shamo's and most Orientals need a lower protein diet than say a regular American gamefowl.
If there's anyone who can give some recommendations on how to feed and keep these birds healthy, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Scratch won't do it. They may need lower protein than fast growing birds but they're still omnivores (not strictly seed eaters) and they still need the same nutrition that all chickens need. At one year of age, I'd be feeding them a 15% a finisher feed or something similar that contains all the vitamins, minerals, fats and essential amino acids chickens need. With a scratch only diet, there will be nutrient deficiency problems, especially water soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamin deficiencies will take longer to show up.