Higher Protein for Chicks?

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

We’ve been feeding an 18% chick starter protein but after what I read I was wondering if it would benefit my chicks to use a game bird started with like 22% protein or however high it is. At least till maybe 6wks old.

Is there any cons to doing that? I was thinking of experimenting with it w my latest chicks; see if it helped them be stronger, whatnot.

Would loves thoughts; advice.

Thanks.

ETA:
Also would my laying hens going through molt benefit from a higher protein feed than layer pellets??
Or is there something I could supplement their feed with to help them?

 

[nuthatched]

I don't know of any difference will be made, I think most chick feeds are 20%

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

I don't know of any difference will be made, I think most chick feeds are 20%

Mine is 18% I think. But the game bird starter is what I was thinkiing of at 30%.

 

[Brooks_]

Mine is 18% I think. But the game bird starter is what I was thinkiing of at 30%.

I think 30% is too high. You could mix the two for a target of about 22-24%.

@U_Stormcrow, What are your thoughts on upper protein limits for chicks or chickens in general?

 

[McChooky]

You can up their protein by feeding them a little dry cat food plus their regular chick feed.Different brands have different percentages of protein.

 

[Geena]

Mine is 18% I think. But the game bird starter is what I was thinkiing of at 30%.

Game bird grower is usually around 24%. I've used that to raise chicks before and have also mixed chick starter with game bird starter, both worked great. I believe 30% protein is likely too high for chickens, probably wouldn't be harmful, but not particularly helpful either.

 

[Acre4Me]

Game bird is usually pretty high protein, with a different nutrition balance. No, your chicken babies don’t need food meant for game birds. In a pinch, sure, you could use it, but I wouldn’t source it for baby chickens.

When someone wants to give a higher protein feed, go with meat bird starter. Meant for chickens. Some people go up a tad more and provide turkey starter.

If you are just raising regular breeds, and not meat birds, or very large chicken breeds (such as Jersey Giants) then use chicken chick starter.

 

[Geena]

When someone wants to give a higher protein feed, go with meat bird starter. Meant for chickens. Some people go up a tad more and provide turkey starter.

Yep, or meat bird crumbles, they are usually 22% protein.
Just wanted to point out though, as far as I know turkey starter and game bird starter are one and the same.

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

Yep, or meat bird crumbles, they are usually 22% protein.
Just wanted to point out though, as far as I know turkey starter and game bird starter are one and the same.

They are because I looked today at TSC.
Purina Gamebird starter (shows turkeys), is 30%.
Which I think is just for the first 6wks. Then it’s the Gamebird food which is 24-26%.

I was just curious if it would help them out to begin with it that way.

We use normal chick starter, which is 18%.

Granted I didn’t think of giving our B jersey’s a higher protein because they’re a bigger bird. (Although mine are no more bigger than my leghorns.)

 

[SourRoses]

I like to use a starter made by Flock Party brand that's 22% protein.
I can't prove that it actually has a benefit, but the logical basis is there, protein is very important.
They seem to love the taste of FP, and take it up better as very young chicks (1-3 days). Once they're 3-4 weeks old and making a mess I switch to the 20% Dumor Grower which is only $20 for 50lbs in my area.

The upper safe limit for protein in chickens is 25%. Over that, long term, is hard on their organs.
In a pinch, I've mixed 30% Gamebird with lower protein feed - the nutritional values are only slightly different so there's nothing to worry about if you get the mix ratio under 24% or so. They seem to find the Gamebird feed delicious for some reason.