Meat bird feed

[Southerngirl7381]

So does it really matter the type of feed, starter, grower, meat bird as long as the protein percentage is correct. As long as I feed my meat birds 22%protein does it matter what variety the food is?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Names mean almost nothing. the Guaranteed Nutritional Label and the Mill date are the only things you should concern yourself with.

On that label, 22% Crude Protein is a good start, make sure the calcium max is 1.5% or lower, hopefully Phosphorus is 0.5% +/- 0.1% (plus is better). Now look at the Methionine levels and Lysine levels.

If you have two feed that meet the above, and have to choose between them, both at the same price, you want the one with the highest Lysine level for your meat birds. Lysine is responsible for muscle development, particularly breast muscle. But NOT if the Methionine levels are only 0.3 or 0.35 - Met is resonsible for connective tissue, which includes the intestinal tract - low Met levels plus fast muscle growth is not a combination for healthy birds. For meaties, the usual target Lys levels are 1.1-1.3%, target Met levels are 0.45 - 0.6%.

Hope that helps.