How to reduce protein in chick feed?

[Ponyfeather]

I can't find grower/finisher feed. What can I mix with my none medicated chick feed to cut the protein down?
I don't want to over dose my baby with calcium. So what can I cut the chick feed with?

 

[Chris09]

I can't find grower/finisher feed. What can I mix with my none medicated chick feed to cut the protein down?
I don't want to over dose my baby with calcium. So what can I cut the chick feed with?

What is the protein of your current feed and how old are the birds?

 

[Ponyfeather]

My 'bird' is 16 weeks old. I have 10 pounds of organic chick feed. I haven't switched her to lay feed because I don't want to push her into laying to soon, she is a pet. My little buddy. The local feed stores don't have a clue about grower/finisher feeds for some stupid reason either.

I've heard about cutting it with oats meal? I also have wheat bran in the freezer. But I can go get what I need at whole foods.

 

[Chris09]

If your feed is a 20% protein or less they should be fine on it.
You could cut it with oat meal its ok, Do you know what the protein amount of the feed your feeding right now?

 

[Ponyfeather]

I think it is 20% but I think I'll cut it with a little bit of oatmeal just in case. Thank you.

 

[dheltzel]

You won't be harming her to feed straight 20% protein. I'd feed that until she starts to lay, then give her oyster shell and switch over to layer for the next bag. The big reason for the lower protein in layer is to reduce the cost. Assuming cost is not a major factor, you could feed starter her whole life, as long as you add oyster shell for calcium when she is laying.

 

[Chris09]

I think it is 20% but I think I'll cut it with a little bit of oatmeal just in case. Thank you.

If I remember right oat meal/ rolled oats is about 17% protein so you could safely drop there feed to 19% protein by mixing 80% feed to 20% rolled oats.
If you was to use corn and mixed at the same ratio, 80% feed to 20% corn you could drop the feed to 17% protein.

I will also say that I feed 20% protein to nearly all my birds and they have no problems with it.

 

[Ponyfeather]

You won't be harming her to feed straight 20% protein. I'd feed that until she starts to lay, then give her oyster shell and switch over to layer for the next bag. The big reason for the lower protein in layer is to reduce the cost. Assuming cost is not a major factor, you could feed starter her whole life, as long as you add oyster shell for calcium when she is laying.

Oh... well that is good. I thought I could hurt her with the 20% protein. I know if some animals if they get to much protein it can be unhealthy. I knew I could hurt her with the calcium in the lay feed for sure. But now I won't worry. I might mix in the oats just to give her some choice though. Not that she doesn't get choices in raw feed. She get a little teaspoon of pumpkin morning & night because we give it to our dogs. Meal-worms every few days. Greens, berries and pretty much tidbits of any veggie or fruit we have in the house.