Naked Neck/Turken Thread

[hellbender]

Around and around it goes. From my mentor I've gathered that birds are omnivores and should have very high quality and relatively high quantity of protein during their entire lifespan. This has worked well for us over a very long time.

J.

 

[draye]

Around and around it goes.  From my mentor I've gathered that birds are omnivores and should have very high quality and relatively high quantity of protein during their entire lifespan.  This has worked well for us over a very long time.

                                          J.

Yes, I don't think protein would hurt them. They do go around eating what they want when they free range anyway.

I guess what if eat the most is that on commercial feeds is the list that they have o. The bags.
The list Is of things I have know ideal what it really is. They lust the scientific names.

Also on this 22% that I'm feed had a bit more Calicum in it than chick starter. I've compared the tags on it and it may contain but the minimum is the same but maximum is just a tad higher. I haven't seen any bad side effects so far. The guy that I get the feed from, he picks it up in bulk, also feeds it to everything from babies to grown.

My hens sure lay much better on it also.

I'll add also that I feed animal protein to their duet from table scraps and leftovers.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I'm no expert, but it is my understanding that extra protein isn't real bad for them, but leads to more ammonia in the poop/bedding (and can be more costly). So I guess all the dickering around relates to the level at which more protein doesn't add any more to the birds - which I think would vary all the time based on season, conditions, molting, etc.

I don't do the animal protein thing (yet) - currently using bagged feed (for simplicity, in part). (Though I am reading all this with interest.) But what I AM doing is mixing half Dumor layer crumble (16%), half Dumor 24% chick starter for the adult groups (laying hens plus single rooster) - as a homemade "breeder" ration - on advice of George Jensen. They are doing well on it, better than on FlockRaiser. I'm sure part of this is that Dumor always really fresh at my TSC. Fresh feed = good feed.

- Ant Farm

 

[Pensmaster]

I'm no expert, but it is my understanding that extra protein isn't real bad for them, but leads to more ammonia in the poop/bedding (and can be more costly). So I guess all the dickering around relates to the level at which more protein doesn't add any more to the birds - which I think would vary all the time based on season, conditions, molting, etc. 

I don't do the animal protein thing (yet) - currently using bagged feed (for simplicity, in part). (Though I am reading all this with interest.) But what I AM doing is mixing half Dumor layer crumble (16%), half Dumor 24% chick starter for the adult groups (laying hens plus single rooster) - as a homemade "breeder" ration - on advice of George Jensen. They are doing well on it, better than on FlockRaiser. I'm sure part of this is that Dumor always really fresh at my TSC. Fresh feed = good feed.

- Ant Farm  

Morning Fire just wanted to update NN chicks all doing well even the little black hen that I was questioning.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
Yay!!!! I was pulling for her.

 

[Pensmaster]

Yay!!!! I was pulling for her. 

Me too not only is she doing better but she zips around everywhere. They have all found the water nipple bar now so I'll be removing the quart water bottle soon. One less task morning and evening.

It did not get as hot yesterday as they said. But it was muggy

 

[hellbender]

The essence of my post is quality protein in high amounts will do more good than harm as opposed to high volumes of soy and the like that certainly could burn up their kidneys if fed in a sustained manner.

 

[Pensmaster]

The essence of my post is quality  protein in high amounts will do more good than harm as opposed to high volumes of soy and the like that certainly could burn up their kidneys if fed in a sustained manner.

Your thoughts on dried earthworms as a protein source? Or the cockroach that BYC has in their flyer.

 

[hellbender]

Backing away again.

 

[Kassaundra]

Your thoughts on dried earthworms as a protein source? Or the cockroach that BYC has in their flyer.

I have raised dubia and meal worms for the chickens. I read the article in the header and it is partially true. They are easy to feed and raise, they are very easy to keep contained, they are not viable outside of your controlled provided environment for most areas in the U.S. Basically anyplace winter is colder then 50 degrees for any sustained time. Mealworms are a little more putzy have more problems that can get out of control like mites that are preditors to them, the food / bedding attracts moths which are very difficult to keep out. As far as raising enough to supply even partial protein source for a flock of chickens, it takes A LOT like housing the size of a freezer and in those quantities THEY DO STINK!!!!!!!!