Percent protein for chicks

[NicH]

I had a question about the percent protein in my starter feed. We had the chicks on 20% starter but my husband was 'helping' me (I'm glad he tries to help me; such a sweetheart) and picked up 24% feed in a 50 lb bag and has already opened it up to get it ready for me.....I see that it is for game birds.
So my question is did we just waste money or is it ok for my chicks to eat it? We have 4 week old leghorns, wyandottes, sussex, production reds, a mallard duck and pekin duck. Do I need to get something else or will this work....OR can we mix something with it to fix it up for them?

 

[emys]

I wouldn't waste the feed - some folks on here have used it "as is" for chicks. I think I would be inclined to cut the protein in their total diet by offering them some cracked wheat/corn (or cook up some cream of wheat - you will be their hero) on the side. Always make sure they have grit/sand when feeding grains.

 

[CCourson05]

I don't see why it would hurt... I feed mine 22%. 2 more isn't that bad... Their diet in the wild would most likely be higher than that anyway... I say just feed it to them, but seeing as it was more expensive, you could offer your chicks more treats as a side effect...

 

[Celtic Chick]

I guess since you already have it, use it. But watch them to see if they are getting too fat too quick.
I agree you should try to supplement their diet, or dilute the excess protein, with some treats. Maybe some bread, oatmeal, bananas, lettuce or other greens, some cooked cut up veggies, etc.
And make sure when they turn 10 weeks to put them on a grower/finisher diet. You can mix it in with their 24% food for awhile until they get used to the new feed.
Here is a link:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...oultry-grower-finisher-15-feed-50-lb--5078171

 

[Arielle]

At one of my feed stores, the 22% protein game chick started is the only choice for non-medicated feed. My RIR, SLW, etc have done well on it. I fed ONLY this, no treats, no other grains until 6 weeks old; I didn't want to dilute the balanced vitamins and minerals in the bagged feed. I think chicks are growing too fast to mess with their food intake; raised outside, baby chicks would be eating bugs, crickets, etc as first foods then switch to adding grains as they become older. THey eat a high protein diet as chicks catching bugs, then reduce the protein as they add grain and grass.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I wouldn't keep them on a protein content that high all the way through to point of lay, but for a month or two they'll be fine. I've got two lots of chicks right now that are on a 2:1 mix of Purina Start&Grow and FRM Gamebird Starter for a protein content of 24%. The oldest of them are not quite three months and have developed beautifully. Come the end of the month I'll offer them free choice grain so they can bring their protein content down to about 20% so they don't outgrow their reproductive systems until they begin laying.

 

[crash0330]

I currently have my chicks on 28% gamebird starter, i do have notice that they are all really meaty, and that they do feather out much faster then others. For example i have some 12 weeks old that look exactly the same as my 9 week old raised on gamebird starter look. I do not reccomend this for laying breeds tho, as the extra protein will make them develop much faster and sometimes they will start laying at a younger age, but that will bring complications as sometimes they begin laying even before they are ready, they end up with a lot of egg laying related problems like egg bound.
Having said that tho ive heard of some people who have raised their chicks on 24% gamebird started with no problems what's so ever.

 

[NicH]

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! You guys rock!