How much protein?

[DVTO2]

I started my GC pullets on 24% protein by Dumor - that's what the guy at TSC said to get. I am going to need another bag of ffod this week - how much protein should I look for. The TSC said 20%, Chickens for Dummies says 18%. I live in northern CT. Recommendations on brand would also be appreciated.

 

[HerbiLady]

Oh yay...protein...my favorite subject lately

I'm a bit obsessed with it since I had a little feather picking happen in my brood this past weekend.

I switched from a 20% Kent medicated starter to 18% Purina Sunfresh medicated starter and I'm not super-thrilled with the 18%. I think 24% is a little high but I could be wrong.

How old are your pullets? Hopefully someone with more experience can give you better advice based on the age of your gals. But from everything I've read and experienced lately, I would stick with 20% and possibly 22% but no higher than that.

Don't they generally use 24% protein for game birds? I've read that the game bird starter is generally a bad idea for chicks. Again, I'm not positive.

 

[stevin]

still being a lil green at raising chicks i had to get more feed for my 2wk old chicks. the guy at the feed store gave me Nutrena Gamebird crumbles which has a higher protein content that the chick starter. i noticed this only after i had refilled the feeder an hour earlier. so i called the breeder that i purchased my chicks from and he assured that it was fine.....
what i did notice was that the chicks started going thru a growth spurt...that was 2 weeks ago
i guess, just like us when we take in too much protien(like beans for instance) that our bodies can't use up it has a way of getting rid of it!!! and that's usually when we blame the smell on the dog......

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Ive been using Dumor 20%, I am am very pleased with how the birds are growing, etc.

 

[catdaddy66]

I also use a 20% starter which I prefer. I have used as low as 17% but was not thrilled. 24% is ok for chicks and will give them extra protein to build tissues (muscles, skin, feathers, etc.) which is critical for growth and health. Bigger birds need less for maintainance. Make sure they have PLENTY of water to flush their kidneys of any excess protein.

 

[Elphaba2140]

I am glad someone posted this question. I have 4 week old chicks that have been on Chick Starter which is about 18% I believe and just started some of the little roos on a mix of that plus a meat bird crumble. It has 21% protein. What I am finding is they don't seem to like it as much. I am gradually mixing it in so using no more than 30-50% each day. I give a moist meal (which they adore) by adding a little warm water to it. These are little Bantams by the way, and then just recently started giving a 1/2 cup of cracked corn once a day which is 7% protein (if I am remembering correctly). Does this seem like too much protein? I am feeding these little roos for the freezer mostly but I have a couple of Porcelains and Sultans that I may keep. They all seem a bit thin yet but do appear to be feathering out better already. Now they are getting feathers on their backs, necks and heads. When I put the meat feed in the dry feeder they won't eat it.

 

[DVTO2]

18% protein for chick starter seems low.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

18-20% protein is fine for chicken chicks if the feed is good quality.

You can use a higher protein level if you want, but you're not getting much for the extra expense.

An exception to this is if you're brooding chicks and turkey poults or other gamebird chicks together. Then you'd want to use a protein level appropriate for the birds needing the most protein.

Brands vary widely across the nation as most mills are regional or local so unless someone from your area posts all the rest of us could do would be to suggest one of the national brands. I use Purina Start & Grow myself which has always gotten the job done for me unless I've got turkeys in the brooder like I do now when I give them all gamebird starter.

.....Alan.