High Protien Feed for Chicks, my conclusion.

[cawooduck]

Through experimenting with feeds and such i have come to a conclusion, chicks need a 28% protien ration. Why do i think this? My first batch of eggs i hatched in February i fed the chicks 28% protien gamebird starter and had no problems what so ever. This time i went the cheap route and fed 20% flock raiser, and my chicks became canniblistic, picking at each other to the point of almost baldness on a couple of them.

Some might think its a crowding issue, nope, i have less chicks in there now then i did with my first hatch. You might think its a heat issue, nope, brooder lamp is off during the day and temps here max out at 80 degrees.

I truly believe its a protien issue. I truly believe gamebird chicks of all species need higher protien levels to prevent picking. As of today my chicks are on turkey starter to finish them out to adulthood.

As for another observation, my adults are on 20% flock raiser and they are doing just fine, with every hen laying eggs, and fertility is still high.

From now on my chicks will be on a gamebird/turkey starter mix until adulthood!!

 

[monarc23]

yeppers highest protien you can do will help them emensly

I learned most of my protien info from them from a button quail breeder

I feed my chicks and adults the same thing though, and I cannot get 28% high protien feeds for them so I need to suppliment but yes high protien happy birds seems to me

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
That's good information and very helpful to others. A side by side test can't be beat

Thanks for posting!!!!!!

Steve in NC

 

[laputa]

Thank you for sharing the learning Jason. I can only find 28% pheasant crumble in local feed store, would that be fine as long as the protein is 28%? The rest are all 20% or below.

 

[farrier!]

I noticed a big difference between what is labeled around here as cick starter and gamebird starter.
All my chicks are getting the higher quality feed.
My daughter had her 4-H club show. One other 4-Her had chickens. His were 3 weeks older and a true LF. Our younger Lakenvelders (smaller but classed as LF) were bigger then his older birds.

 

[cawooduck]

Quote:
Eh Laputa,

I believe that pheasant food will be just fine! The highest percentage of protien you can find, the better, in my NEW opinion!!

I am in daily contact and observation of all my animals to notice attitudes and anything out of the ordinary, even if it is only 5 minutes a pen, or less. My wild ducks are doing great on a 17% layena (supplimented with whole wheat) so far through the molting process, and our Turkeys are growing bigger by the day on 20% Flock raiser as are the adult quail. But i am now a firm believer in raising the chicks on gamebird starter, and its only like a $1 a bag more than flock raiser at my feed store. I wont skimp anymore!!

Trust me, when you have a pen full of naked neck quail (no, not a new breed like the silkie!!) the embarrassment of the condition is enough to make me think twice about dropping the protien level ever again!!

Take care everyone!!.............Jason

 

[laputa]

Hi, Jason,

I am on day 16th with my 24 eggs, but none has pipped yet, nor shown any sign of movement.

Are your chicks old enough to be sexed yet? I am probably going to need to pay you a visit soon for some hens

...

 

[cawooduck]

Quote:
LOL, no problem on the hens........when they get their feathers back that is!!! Be patient with the eggs, you will know within the next two days, 16 days is only for the early hatchers that are clostorphobic!!!LOL

 

[monarc23]

*i cant breathe I cant breathe...get me ouuuut*