Nutrition and Care for Heritage/Exhibition/SOP Birds

[Mosey2003]

I'd like to hear more about grit. I have a bag of chick grit that my friend gave me, but I've never actually used grit with chicks, just juveniles (12 weeks +). Is it something that should be available day one, or once they learn what food is?

 

[gjensen]

Much of this depends on management. Birds completely confined all of the time, and birds on range much of the time, are birds eating different diets.

For chicks, gamebird starter is good for getting them a good start. Genetics as they are, and if the birds are fed a quality chick starter, they catch up with their counterparts. There are many variables to consider.

And a bird fed 30% on grass is not getting 30% like the bird on bedding.

There are variables to consider.

My suggestion is to simplify the process. Start them on a lower protein game bird starter (24-28%), and make sure they get some fresh greens. After 8 wks and when they are out on range much of the time, an unmedicated higher protein feed is not a bad idea. They should be getting about 18-20%, but if 25% of their diet is rustled up from the yard, 20% feed is not getting them there. There are things to consider. Just keep it simple.

You do not want to feed them a feed that is too "hot" for two long. It is a waste of money. I work them from a 24-28% feed to 20% chick starter.

Adults should be fed a breeder ration. Layer is for layers. Whatever breeder ration that is formulated for this that can be found locally. If one cannot be found, a 20% chick starter supplemented with a little calf manna works well enough.

It helps to supplement with a little fresh greens (young and tender), and a just a little sunflower seeds.

Most bagged rations are short on fat. Fat and oils deteriorate quickly. A little sunflower seeds go a long ways.

Appropriately sized grit should be available all of the time, and with all ages.

High producing hens should get a calcium supplement during peak season.

If there is any room to run, the best supplement you can give the birds is to simply open the door.

 

[3riverschick]

gjensen,
what a great post! Great info and quality advice. Love you mentioned all the ratios. so important to consider!
Best,
Karen

 

[Sleepytime]

I've always been interested in the nutritional part of keeping poultry. I used to use a 20% all flock feed, but, on a whim, tried some Purina Game Bird Flight Conditioner. The results were such that I've never used anything else. I show my birds, so growth, appearance and fertility are important. I've been happy with all three using this feed. I mix in some scratch and wild bird seed as well as regular (twice a week) offering some sort of fruit or vegetable. I've recently gotten some call ducks and am currently reading to determine how to tweak my feed to best suit them. Oh ! I forgot to say that I also add cod liver oil to the feed of any birds that are showing. It takes about 6 weeks of the oil to see a difference, but they get a shine to their feathers that's noticeable. The feed along with a good worming program and regular inspection for mites has made it so that it is extremely rare for me to have a bird get sick. I want to add that they get fed the gamebird feed from hatch through adulthood. I've been told by several people over the years that the high protein (26%) is bad for adult birds and can shorten their lives. That has not been my experience. I had a rooster die last year that was 11 years old and he was fertile up to the end. So, despite what these people have told me, I see no reason to change anything.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I don't know what I would do without my purina gamebird feed

Actually, I do know, because my local feed stores have been out for the last few weeks, and it's been *terrible*.

I can't speak for feeding it to chickens, but my quail get the 30% supplemented with bugs, sprouts, etc. Go a little higher in protein than you think you need - the birds love it and you can supplement treats/keep them on grass more heavily without worrying. Definitely don't need 30% for chickens, though. Probably wouldn't be great for them long term.

 

[Sleepytime]

I don't know what I would do without my purina gamebird feed

Actually, I do know, because my local feed stores have been out for the last few weeks, and it's been *terrible*.

I can't speak for feeding it to chickens, but my quail get the 30% supplemented with bugs, sprouts, etc. Go a little higher in protein than you think you need - the birds love it and you can supplement treats/keep them on grass more heavily without worrying. Definitely don't need 30% for chickens, though. Probably wouldn't be great for them long term.

You can lower the protein by adding scratch.

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm really liking the gamebird starter; these chicks are 3 weeks old and hefty:

They aren't even full heritage/SOP, they're 3/4s.

 

[Mosey2003]

As a side note, I'm not actually breeding hatchery blood into my lines for any purpose.
I started with the Rocks by getting hatchery type pullets in order to make black sexlinks with my Buff Orpingtons. I ended up liking the Rocks more than the Orps, so sold those off and have been meandering towards SOP birds since. My laying flock right now is 5 halfbred girls and 6 pure, I had bred the halfbreds just to have some chicks to sell last year (didn't work out well). So when my friend asked for just a couple pullets for spring layers, I went ahead and threw a dozen in the incubator from those girls and my standard cock, making these chicks 3/4s. Regardless of intent, these actually look *really* nice, considering. Especially that pullet on the left there. I'll be really interested to see how they look fully grown, just out of curiosity.