Has to much protein affected my 15 girls and 1 roo - 13 weeks old

[irlybird]

Our 16 chicks were born on April 23rd putting them at 13 weeks right now.

I just went to get my starter crumbles at the feed store and they asked if I got more chicks... I said no and they then said I need to switch to a different food as I've been giving them to much protein.

So up to/including today they have eaten 22% protein. I just bought the unsprayed 17% poultry grower crumbles and will start that as per their suggestion. I was certain they stayed on the 22% till they starting laying but obviously I misread something. I wouldn't guess any visible issues as they all are happy and seem regular size etc. The one rooster (that we assume is a rooster) hasn't started cookadoodle-doing but aside from that I'd never guess any issues.

My questions are:

1. have I damaged my flock in any way with giving them that 22% until today? If I haven't can they finish off the bag of 22% (probably another weeks worth) or should I switch to the 17% asap.

2. How long do they stay on the 17% before I switch to something different?

Thanks for helping me calm my mind that I haven't messed this up to badley!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't see the problem, and I wouldn't worry. I personally like 18% protein for everyone for their life. There's many different ways to feed. Stores sometimes want to complicate things.

 

[mixedbreeds]

You are fine lots of people feed a 20% flock raiser for there life with oyster shell on the side for the layers. So no problem with the 22% l like the higher percent they lay more eggs in my opinion.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Grower is usually lower in protein to keep them from starting to lay too young. It is a mute point with many starters like Purina that are only 18% protein, because that is sort of low for starter and a bit high for grower.

 

[Kiki]

What brand name of feed have you been buying/plan to buy?


Don't assume all feed store employees know what they are talking about... Unfortunately some don't have a clue.

 

[EggWalrus]

If your raising them for eggs, or DP, I wouldn't worry. I start all mine on 28% Super Biddy and feed it to them for around 3 months. Them I switch to 20% all flock for the rest of their lives. When raising Meat Bird (Cornish X), it is recommended to to reduce the protein by feeding them 20% grower, then 18% finisher, after a certain number of weeks so they don't become too big too fast. Too much protein in Meaties can lead to broken legs, excess pressure on the heart, and other problems that can cause mortality. With Cornish X it's also recommended that after the first 2 or 3 weeks, you withdraw the feed to 12 hours with food, 12 hours without. The water and feed should be on opposite sides of the pen to encourage exercise so they don't get too fat too fast. If you don't have Cornish X but you are raising birds for meat, give them the high protein, it won't hurt them, just makes them grow big, strong and healthy!
Good luck!
Most chickens will eat less of a high pro quality feed so it may save you some change in the long run.

 

[centrarchid]

Much of the time I have heard or seen suggestions that too much protein is being offered to chickens, it is because the higher protein feeds cost more. I have not seen obvious health issues even when the protein level was about 22%. When I have seen issues is when a slower growing breed is fed a diet formulated for something meat chickens. The fed birds to my eye got coarse where they were heavy and limbs where also large when they were about 10 weeks old. It looked like they had actual fat on shanks. When feed was changed to a what approximated an 18% crude protein diet everything settled down.

When we are talking about protein levels, we probably should also consider energy content of diet.