Meat Bird diets...switching feed

[catdaddy66]

Do you really need to switch a meat bird from chick starter to finisher rations, or can you start w/ a high protein starter and continue until dispatch day (D-Day?

It seems to almost be an unecessary step as the high protein for longer periods will get maximum return on price/pound of feed. Is the finisher a necessity?

 

[possumqueen]

Not sure what's in the finisher, since I don't raise meat birds, but I've read in lots and lots of places where they say we don't feed nearly enough protein in any case. Makes you wonder, don't it.

I'll bet the finisher is cheaper than the starter, though.

 

[Chris09]

I think you should be fine. Is it Medicated? I know there is no withdrawal required with Lasalocid (Avatec).
I used Buckeye Feed and there Broiler feed is a Starter/ Finisher.

Buckeye 21% Broiler Starter - Finisher -
Lasalocid 90.7 gm/ton
Crude Protein, Minimum 21.00 %
Lysine, Minimum 1.10 %
Methionine, Minimum 0.49 %
Crude Fat, Minimum 3.50 %
Crude Fiber, Maximum 4.00 %
Calcium (Ca), Minimum 0.70%
Calcium (Ca), Maximum 1.20 %
Phosphorus (P), Minimum 0.60 %
Salt (NaCl), Minimum 0.20%
Salt (NaCl), Maximum 0.70 %

Kalmbach has a Broiler/Chick Starter Grower and a Grower Finisher here is the differences.

Broiler/Chick Starter Grower-
Crude Protein (Min.) 22%
Lysine (Min.) 1.1%
Methionine (Min.) 0.5%
Crude Fat (Min.) 2.0%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 5.0%
Calcium (Ca) (Min.) 0.7%
Calcium (Ca) (Max.) 1.2%
Phosphorus (P) (Min.) 0.65%
Salt (NaCl) (Min.) 0.2%
Salt (NaCl) (Max.) 0.7%

Broiler/Chick Grower Finisher-
Crude Protein (Min.) 19%
Lysine (Min.) 1.0%
Methionine (Min.) 0.4%
Crude Fat (Min.) 2.5%
Crude Fiber (Max.) 5.0%
Calcium (Ca) (Min.) 0.60%
Calcium (Ca) (Max.) 1.10%
Phosphorus (P) (Min.) 0.62%
Salt (NaCl) (Min.) 0.20%
Salt (NaCl) (Max.) 0.70%

Chris