I’m getting chicks, which starter food should I use?🐥

[U_Stormcrow]

I have to ask why this is. What sources of Methionine are feed companies using that can’t be found in organic food?

Basic biology. Almost every ingredient commonly used in chicken feed is plant-based, and plants tend to have low levels of Methionine. Legumes like soy tend to have the closest ratio of AA to what a chicken needs - an animal's AA ratios tend to differ significantly from a plant - but when combining a mostly right, with a lot of low Met sources, end result is a low Met feed.

and that's before you further limit your sourcing to organic crops of X Y Z

/edit and animal proteins, which tend to have good AA levels including Met are often not included in Organic feeds, and since they are often byproducts (i.e. porcine blood meal, menhaden fish meal), organic sourcing of the supply chain can be difficult.

 

[Brooks_]

I live on johns island. But we normally get feed at tractor supply Ravenel. Thank you so much

Your product line looks very similar to mine. I'll refer you back to what Storm said (below).

In Ravenel, if you are getting a small number of chickens, or the bag isn't fresh (made in the last month or so), get Purina's Flock Raiser Crumbles (5# bag) if you don't need medicated. [Assuming you've had no chickens before, and have "virgin ground", non-medicated is likely fine. Coccidia is everywhere humans have been, yes, but reflexively medicating isn't necessary unless you know (or strongly suspect) you've had a coccidia outbreak recently on your grounds. That said, it generally doesn't hurt - personal choice, informed by risk tolerance. If they fdon't have the small flockraiser (and you are buying small), get either the Purina Start/Grow (medicated or not, your call) or the Dumor Starter (medicated or not, your choice), in that order of preference.

If you are going non-Medicated, are getting a lot of chicks, and the bag is fresh, get the Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles 50# bag.

For his follow up (below), keep in mind that the Nurtena all flock is a pellet and your birds will need to older/bigger before being offered pellets. The pellets can still be used as a wet mash or if you do some crushing. Depends on how much more effort you're willing to put into it.

Follow up, if "Natural" (as the industry defines that term) is important to you, go with the Nutrena Naturewise All Flock.

Nutrena also makes a starter/grower crumble, but I've only seen 18% protein. I am a proponent of 20%, especially at chick stage.

 

[Iluveggers]

Thank you for the info @U_Stormcrow

 

[BLG0617]

I liked the Kalmbach starter feed when we had chicks.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

When the chicks are around 8 weeks old I switch them over to Nutrena All Flock pellets which I feed to to all of the birds. The pellets are a little smaller than layer pellets. It is 20% protein which is good for their development and since their feathers are made of primarily protein.

I know Nutrena is never at the top of my lists of recommends. This is NOT because its a "bad" feed. I've used it myself, and been very satisfied with the results. It is, in fact, one of the better feeds out there at a reasonable price point, with reasonable availability. The reason it tends to fall so "low" on my lists is because there are (in my view) slightly nutritionally superior feeds at a somewhat better price point at the same farm store.

I don't use any of them currently, being fortunate enough to have a local mill. But if I was still buying at TSC, and they were out of the others, I'd have no reservations whatsoever about buying the Nutrena AF, nor did I before I'd looked so deep into poultry nutrition. My birds just eat too much each month to be buying 40# bags. A $2/per bag change in price, and it would move higher up my lists.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I know this is an older thread. Do you know/remember the sources for this (that a shortage of methionine as a chick limits their potential as adults). I believe you, I'm just interested in reading more about it. Thank you!

Most of my links can be found in other threads, but sure. AA levels overall (this is a metastudy gathering other studies of laying hens), and here are the old NRC numbers


Then you can get into the weeds, where I like to read.
1975, Broilers
1978, before Met was easilly measured on its own
2005, here's one
2013, Immune Response
2016, Broilers
2020, Meat birds
2020, Immune response
2021, Met levels and considerations for heat stress

You can't throw a rock without hitting a study on the effects of Met deficiency, even in 2022
Lots of others. Happy reading!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Or you can just keyword things like Methionine and Pullet

Brazilian Study
This from 1965
2003, Broilers

etc.

 

[Poodlemum]

We’ve had issues with coccidiosis, so I get medicated feed since it’s more available (are your chicks vaccinated?). Just whatever is cheapest at the time! Mannapro usually and many times with our grocery pickup at Walmart

 

[Future vet]

We’ve had issues with coccidiosis, so I get medicated feed since it’s more available (are your chicks vaccinated?). Just whatever is cheapest at the time! Mannapro usually and many times with our grocery pickup at Walmart

I am getting my chicks next week.

 

[Future vet]

Without knowing your location I can't see what's available to you. Based on what is available to me, Purina flock raiser. Purina, Nutrena, or Dumor starter/grower. Do you plan on medicated? That will alter your options. Be sure to check mill dates as freshness counts.

Regardless of what it's called. 18-20% protein. About 3.5% fat, 5% fiber, and 1% calcium...all +/-.

I live on johns island. But we normally get feed at tractor supply Ravenel. Thank you so much