Manna Pro Gamebird Starter for 2 Wk. Chicks

[rodriguezpoultry]

I went to TSC to get some chick starter...what I've always fed (there's not a co-op that sells chick starter in smaller sizes). There wasn't any chick starter so I picked up the gamebird feeder. Yeah...it's not crumbles, it's tiny little pellets. The chicks wanted nothing to do with it at first, but when they realized it was all I was gonna offer, they've decided it's not so bad.

Anyway, has anyone else had any luck with this stuff? It says gamebird/showbird, but these chicks won't be show birds for a VERY long time. It has a higher protein level than starter, but I'm still a bit skeptical about it.

 

[rachaelc]

I read on a few threads last year that game bird chow was all some people fed to their SQ birds.
I fed it to my 12-16 week birds and they were fine...
Hope this helps a bit..

Rachael C- mother of all

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The chicks I'm feeding it to are only 2 weeks old. 3 weeks old now. I was worried the pellets were going to be too large, but they seem to be breaking them apart and then eating it...cool!

I'm very curious to see how this will affect them later on...

Thank you rachaelc for your help!

 

[Tala]

I always feed Purina Flock Raiser 20% protein. Start chicks on at by their 2nd day.....they're beautiful and laying well now so I guess it works

Today I bought my first bag of Co-Op brand game bird feed, also 20% and has similar analysis. My boss is getting me to raise some chicks for him, they expect them in the feed store tomorrow.....so we shall see how they do on gamebird feed.
This brand gamebird feed IS in crumbles though.
It smells like the feedstore always smells so I guess it's ok. Purina feed also smells good. The Dumor from TSC always smells a little "off" to me.....but I raised my first chicks on it and they turned out OK too.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

It worries me because the protein is around 24%. Worries me...Langshans have REALLY long legs and I always worry what messing with their feed will do.

They seem to be scarfing it down somehow..I just wish it were in crumble form instead of this pellet. Their food dish was empty today and they are on wire, so it's not all in the bottom of the pan. They are getting BIG.

 

[Akane]

I start mine on 22% gamebird feed and they get that all the way through to adult. The only time I don't feed gamebird is when I have no chicks around and can't justify the cost when the layers do fine for a few months on 16% layer feed. I find chicks fed gamebird feed feather faster, grow faster, and are overall healthier with the extra protein. A few people on another thread were talking about using the 28-30% protein stuff so 22-24 isn't that high. Although personally I wouldn't go over 24% without more information.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

I start all of my chicks (from Seramas up to turkeys & ducks) on 28% Gamebird Starter Crumbles, with a sprinkle of all purpose sand for grit. At about 3 weeks I start adding in small amounts of crimped oats and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. By the time they are a few months old they are on the adult ration of (roughly) 75% Game Bird Starter, 20% Crimped Oats and 5% BOSS. It seems to work great, they love it and are laying like crazy

 

[p.james]

Have you tried grinding the food a littler smaller?