Molting

[Roan]

Chris09, thank you for setting me right and I felt absolutely no disrespect.

As far as the crawl vs stomach comment, I was comparing the two because the crawl, like the stomach, is where the food goes to be stored until it can be broken down and digested. Am I wrong about that?

And as for the laying pellets vs wild bird feed, I'm glad you explained that because I don't want to mislead anyone nor harm any bird so I will start looking to implement these changes in my own flock.

Where do you get laying feed that is more than 16% protein? Our local Tractor Supply sells only two brands of laying feeds and both are 16% protein.

Ann1948, please forgive my inaccurate information.

 

[aldarita]

Chris09 I am giving my flock Nutrena Feather fixer which has 18% protein, however I am interested in finding out what feed you give your birds that has higher than 20% protein specially with animal protein and fat. I am also giving my birds some black soldier flies grubs and mealworms to supplement their diet but winter is comming and my supply of BSF grubs is becoming very low, I am looking for animal protein to give them over the winter that is not dried cat food (because of the high content of salt).

 

[Chris09]

Chris09 I am giving my flock Nutrena Feather fixer which has 18% protein, however I am interested in finding out what feed you give your birds that has higher than 20% protein specially with animal protein and fat. I am also giving my birds some black soldier flies grubs and mealworms to supplement their diet but winter is comming and my supply of BSF grubs is becoming very low, I am looking for animal protein to give them over the winter that is not dried cat food (because of the high content of salt).

I feed a gamebird feed to all my birds,
From birth to about 4 to 6 weeks I feed a 30% protein 2.5% fat starter that contains fish meal (menhaden) and porcine meat meal.
From 4/6 weeks to death layers gets a 20% protein 3.0% fat starter that contains fish meal (menhaden).
Breeders gets a breeder feed that contains 20% protein 2.5% fat that contains fish meal (menhaden).

During molt or anytime I think they may need a boost in proteins I supplement with a mixture of a fish pellet that has a 47% protein 9% fat with fish meal (menhaden), spray dried porcine blood cells, and dried egg product along with Bil-Jac frozen which is 18% protein 8% fat and contains beef tripe, chicken, Product, Chicken By-Product Meal, Beef Liver, and egg product.

 

[Roan]

Okay, I bought "Raising Chickens for Dummies" by Kimberly Willis (Poultry breeder and enthusiast) and Rob Ludlow (name sound familiar? it probably should since he is the owner of BarkYardChickens.Com

)

This edition was published in 2009 by Wiley Publishing Inc.

Chapter 8: "Feeding Your Flock" discusses the correct protein levels, the problems with too much protein and too little. It also has a breakdown of the benefits of each vitamin and mineral commonly fed to chickens. (Table 8-1) (Pages 146 - 147)

I strongly suggest this reading as it explains the requirements during and between molts.

Page 145, Section Protein, Paragraph 3 states:

• Chickens need 16 to 24 percent protein in their diet, depending on their age and intended use. Too much protein in a chicken's diet is a waste because it's secreted in the manure as nitrogen and ammonia. These are pollutants of both water and the air. Another downside to feeding too much protein is that a chicken's body has to work harder to metabolize protein and break it down into urea to be eliminated. This creates body heat, and birds on high-protein diets may suffer more from heat stress. Many people think that chickens should have more protein in the winter because it creates body heat, but this is a faulty assumption. Too much protein places stress on the bird's organs, and energy to break down the protein can't be used to produce meat or eggs.

Page 145, Section Protein, Paragraph 4 states:

• ...Molt is stressful to birds and requires good nutrition to see the birds through it. Feathers need protein to develop properly, and it doesn't hurt to increase the protein level at this time....

This book covers pretty much everything you need to know to raise chickens in general.

Not to mention, buying this book promotes this site and supports it which helps to keep the site free, I'm cure.

Reason for Edit: Word correction.

 

[Chris09]

@Roan

I agree with somewhat with your post, if you look at the protein amounts that I use they really never excide 20% protein except when the extra protein is needed (chicks and molt). I have found in the past 30 +/- years of raising, breeding and showing poultry that some chickens like your heritage fowl can take more protein and do require more protein. Where the hybrid type fowl like any of the breeds that you get from a hatchery don't require as much and can get away with less proteins. I also noticed that they (Kimberly and Rob) didn't mention protein type which is far more important than the protein amount.

As far as feeding more protein in the winter, well we all have our thoughts. I have yet had a problem with feeding a 20 to 26 percent protein in the winter, in fact my birds are a lot healthier being fed the way I do.

 

[Roan]

@Roan

I agree with somewhat with your post, if you look at the protein amounts that I use they really never excide 20% protein except when the extra protein is needed (chicks and molt). I have found in the past 30 +/- years of raising, breeding and showing poultry that some chickens like your heritage fowl can take more protein and do require more protein. Where the hybrid type fowl like any of the breeds that you get from a hatchery don't require as much and can get away with less proteins. I also noticed that they (Kimberly and Rob) didn't mention protein type which is far more important than the protein amount.

As far as feeding more protein in the winter, well we all have our thoughts. I have yet had a problem with feeding a 20 to 26 percent protein in the winter, in fact my birds are a lot healthier being fed the way I do.

First, remember that the chapter says 16% to 24% so if you're going up to 26% then you're just barely above their suggested amount so it sounds to me like you're in agreement with them.

Second, I wish they would have listed the different sources of protein but remember, this is a "...for Dummies" book so basically, it's meant to cover the basics of each aspect of chicken raising.

Third. I can understand how certain breeds would require different amounts of protein. It makes sense.
hmm, I wonder if the "Standard of Perfection" would list the dietary specification for the different breeds. If anyone has a copy of that book, it would be appreciated for you to pipe in here.

Fourth, as for the higher 40% protein rations in the winter, as you said, each of us has our differences of experience from which we draw our opinions. Also, just like no two breeds are alike, neither are any two birds so your birds may have grown accustomed to the high protein winters so that may be something to look at. And, like the book says, during molt, extra protein won't hurt.