Is 22 percent protein too much?

[MommyGirl]

Hello everyone! I usually feed flockraiser 20 percent to my flock but for the last 4 months at my tractor supply the flockraiser has been more than 6 months old so I started buying the nutrena meat bird food and it’s 22 percent protein. Is that ok atleast for awhile until they get some newer flockraiser?

 

[saysfaa]

Yes

I meant, yes, it is ok.
Also, no, it is not too much.

 

[MommyGirl]

Yes

I meant, yes, it is ok.
Also, no, it is not too much.

Thank you! I had heard too much protein wasn’t good and just wanted to make sure it would be ok for a little longer.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Thank you for the idea actually! I do 20% all flock but in winter I'd love to do even more so I'm going to try the nutrena meat bird!! Good call!

 

[SamLockwood]

In my experience either one is more protein than they need but it shouldn't hurt them. I've raised a mixed flock of chickens and guinea fowl and the guineas needed game bird starter which is 22 to 24% protein and I didn't notice that it created any problems for the chicks or in the birds when they were adults.

Normally I feed them 16% layer crumbles, plus whatever they get foraging while they free-range.

 

[Krux5506]

I recall a member on here citing a study claiming the highest success rate of incubated eggs came from birds who were fed 22% protein feeds. It was a pretty interesting conversation, but of course I can't find it now. Anyway, mine have been on 22% chick feed all winter and they've not stopped laying since going on that feed. I use Modesto though not Nutrena.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you! I had heard too much protein wasn’t good and just wanted to make sure it would be ok for a little longer.

It's not recommended to feed feed that is more than 30% protein.

 

[MommyGirl]

It's not recommended to feed feed that is more than 30% protein.

Thank you!

 

[Eleos]

Not to hijack your thread, but I had a similar question. I have 8 week old pullets (layers, not meat birds) and I started them on kalmbach non-medicated 18% chick started feed. A few weeks ago my feed store was out of the kalmbach so they suggested McNess 23% chick/duck starter instead. I didn't realize till last night that that's typically a feed for meat birds. I googled whether it was ok for my birds and most websites said that's too much protein and can damage their kidneys. Then I come here and everyone is like "the more protein the better!"
So which is it? Do I need to rush out and change their feed to a lower protein or are they fine at 23%? Should I change it as they get older?
Also, if it makes a difference, I've been fermenting their feed from the start. They LOVE it and can't seem to eat it fast enough. I also have them in the run most days which has a dirt floor half overgrown with weeds at the moment, so they're able to forage/free range. Once they're old enough I'll let them out to free range on 5 acres. Will more or less protein matter then?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[MommyGirl]

Not to hijack your thread, but I had a similar question. I have 8 week old pullets (layers, not meat birds) and I started them on kalmbach non-medicated 18% chick started feed. A few weeks ago my feed store was out of the kalmbach so they suggested McNess 23% chick/duck starter instead. I didn't realize till last night that that's typically a feed for meat birds. I googled whether it was ok for my birds and most websites said that's too much protein and can damage their kidneys. Then I come here and everyone is like "the more protein the better!"
So which is it? Do I need to rush out and change their feed to a lower protein or are they fine at 23%? Should I change it as they get older?
Also, if it makes a difference, I've been fermenting their feed from the start. They LOVE it and can't seem to eat it fast enough. I also have them in the run most days which has a dirt floor half overgrown with weeds at the moment, so they're able to forage/free range. Once they're old enough I'll let them out to free range on 5 acres. Will more or less protein matter then?
Thanks for any advice.

I’ve been feeding mine 20 percent protein for 4 years and sometimes when my store is out of stock or the feed is more than 3 months old I will by a bag of the 22 percent protein meat bird.Which I think is fine since I don’t won’t to feed 17 percent protein layer feed.