flockraiser vs. cat dry food to increase the protein level

[crazy huhn]

I have two hens in a heavy molt. My goal is to increase the protein level to help them regrow new feathers faster.

People here were recommending a handful dry cat kibbles every other day or flockraiser. I used to give my chickens very little cat kibbles once in a while during their annual molt and they were doing fine. But I was also reading, that cat kibbles may contain too much salt for chickens health. For that reason I bought 20% protein flockraiser today, not to harm my girls with too much salt. By reading the label now, it says protein not from animal products.

Now I am confused: I was also reading, that chickens need a higher protein level during molt, but only from animal products, like cat kibble (no dog kibble, because it gets its protein levels from veggies). Does that mean, my flockraiser is basically useless? Shall I return it? What is a good cat dry food with salt content, that will not harm any chickens?

 

[digitS']

Quote:
Why would animal products be that essential?

What is the source for this information?

Steve

 

[ella]

Catfood is faster and fine if it's not a large percentage of their daily diet. Like fast food isn't great for you but it won't kill you if you have it once a week for a month. It probably will help you put on some weight though.

I don't think flockraiser is useless for a molt. I have my flock on it all winter when only a few are laying. It does help everybody keep on the weight and I definetely see less fighting and picking.

When one or two girls are having a really rough molt I will give them individually a couple of tablespoons of catfood every night for a week or so.

 

[Wifezilla]

Chickens evolved eating animal protein....usually in the form of bugs and worms. Cat food made with animal protein is going to be closer to what they need than soy protein. Soy isn't even food as far as I am concerned. It's great for fixing nitrogen in the soil. Other than that, it contain a lot of anti-nutrients.

 

[spook]

I gave my girls Fat and Finish, a grower with 22% plant protein and more fat, plus I gave them beans, meat scraps and lots of veggies. It brought in a super beautiful coat. I read where someone did this for show feathers, why wouldn't it help mine, non-show...except to make my ladies beautiful, warm and pretty content. Even tho they are no longer moulting, we are in a very cold time of year and the extra fat and calories- not a steady diet, but a cup with warm water over it as a "treat", like oatmeal to start their day (oat meal is not a bad thing either)
Good luck!

 

[silkiechicken]

I'd just use it. Some flocks are raised on a "vegitarian diet". Animal protein is good, but it won't hurt them to not have all their protein from it.

 

[BeckyLa]

Mine did better when I added game bird starter, which is higher in protein, to their regular feed.

 

[crazy huhn]

digitS' :

Quote:
Why would animal products be that essential?

What is the source for this information?

Steve

According to Gail Damerow "Storey's guide to Raising Chickens" cat kibble contains animal protein which is higher in amino acids, exactly what chickens need to get over a heavy molt faster.​

 

[buck-wild-chick]

I mix cat food with chicken feed all the time, Wether its to get the laying again or , I almost run out of feed on a sunday and no feed stores are open. Iv never had one die from to much salt.

 

[silkiechicken]

Amino acids (AAs) are what make up proteins. There are only 20 AAs.

Life uses the "L" form and the porportion of each of the 20 AA's is what makes the difference.