Quote:
It may work for some other breeds as well. I would not think it would be good for the slow growing breeds and in fact, the least protein would be better for those breeds (e.g. Javas, Brahmas). I believe you would need to experiment with the protein % in other growing breeds to see what worked best. I cannot say the Buckeye formula would work for all breeds.
It is a fact that at least 28% protein feed is best for Buckeyes. The ALBC Buckeye recovery project discovered this rather accidently. 25 experienced breeders were each given 25 Buckeye chicks to raise as they saw fit. The chicks were all from the same breeding stock. The Buckeye chicks were thoroughly handled & examined and weighed at 8 weeks of age and again at 16 weeks and finally at 1 year of age. The ALBC took notes on the conditions of rearing and exactly what the chicks were fed taking into account protein % and other things. The breeders were told to keep up with this information. What the ALBC found was that chicks on higher protein grew and developed the best (at least 28%) and the better the feed, the better the results. In fact, the chicks on the highest protein (>28%) grew at twice the rate of the chicks on the lowest protein %. The ALBC found that chicks on lower protein diets during the first 8 weeks NEVER met their potential at 1 year of age. They have tweeked their research since and found that the first 8 weeks are critical and that it is better to then bring down the protein % in feeds after 8 weeks (for me, this has been down to 19% but still a Game Bird Chow (Conditioner)). The higher protein after about 10-12 weeks can actually retard growth in Buckeyes (also discovered by ALBC breeders).
It is my opinion that the formula of >28% protein for the first 8 weeks decreased to below 20% protein works for Buckeyes because of the Buckeye's rate of growth the first 8 weeks is the greatest and also because the Buckeye is a very muscular and highly active fowl with a higher percentage of fast twitch muscle (darker meat) than the usual. Muscle and fast twitch muscle require additional protein. In my opinion also, decreasing the protein % after 8-10 weeks makes sense because the Buckeye chick's rate of growth slows down accordingly.
The kind of intense study and recovery as the ALBC conducted would be helpful with other chciken breeds, but realize, the Buckeye project was very labor intensive as you can imagine. I did not take part in the project but have personally talked with those who did (at the ALBC convetion in 2007, at poultry shows and by email)-- this is the source of my knowledge. I quickly changed my Buckeye chicks diet in 2007 due to this information. The improvement I noticed after increasing the protein %, while I would like to credit to my own breeding selections, is really all about the feeding.
The reason I feed Purina Game Bird Chow is because it contains animal as well as plant protein. It is generally accepted that IF you are breeding birds or showing birds, for whatever reason, animal protein is necessary for fertility & vigor and better feather quality. After the Mad Cow Disease scare, feed companies went to making their feed with all plant protein and non animal products (thereby removing the possibility that a cow or some other mammal would eat animal brains, parts, etc.). Immediately, poultry breeders noticed a decline in the fertility of their brids and poorer feather quality-- simultaneously, they were all seeing the same thing and commeting about it & it was widely discussed and the general concensus was that the animal protein was the difference. I don't think there is much debate about this conclusion anymore in serious poultry circles.
I hope this helps.
That is exactly the information I was hoping for and I appreciate your time and effort in sharing this with us! I am so glad the 30% comes in tomorrow!
One last question from me (for now LOL) The 30% isn't going to be medicated (I think) how will that affect the chicks with immunity? Should I mix in a bit of the medicated or not worry about it?
