Protein Percentages and Molting

[Chickn chick 46]

I posted about molting recently and one poster suggested turkey feed for protein.

 

[powerline]

Feeding adult chickens a died high in protein will cause articular gout. I don't recommend going over 18% protein.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
When you say "high in protein". How high is too high?

Gout: What is it?

Gout is a disease that causes improper kidney function that causes the built-up of urate deposits. Gout can affect birds in two different ways, the first causing internal swelling and the second causing inflammation in the feet and legs.
Gout is a serious and painful condition that requires veterinary treatment. There are also several homeopathic treatments that might prove useful in managing this disorder.
Potential Causes:
High protein levels are typically associated with visceral gout, but there is no evidence that healthy kidneys will be harmed by excessive dietary protein. However, pet birds are often exposed to a numerous toxins (such as preservatives / chemicals in commercial bird food or drinking water and toxins in the environment - please refer to: Toxins in your Home) as well as pathogens that can cause damage to their pets’ kidneys. At that point dietary protein levels can become a potential hazard.
Treatments include:
An ample supply of clean / filtered water
Aloe Detox (for example: "Lily of the Desert Aloe Detoxifying Formula" - available over the following websites: http://www.vitacost.com; http://www.amazon.com; http://www.internatural.com/ingr/ingr199340.cfm or at better health food stores) has shown multiple benefits for gout sufferers - one way to get birds to drink it is to drip it on their favorite soft foods. Adding it to their water may stop from them drinking as they may not like the taste.
Allopathic drugs such as Allupurinol can lower uric acids levels and have been used in birds with varied results.


Poultry breeding and genetics (Book)
Says that there was a test on 3 strains of chickens 1 strain of Fayoumi and 2 strains of white leghorns. The Leghorns where tested on 20% - 40% - 70% protein and NO gout was evident in either strain. The Fayoumi had a 25.9% gout on 40% protein and 47.8% gout on 70% protein..

Chris

 

[powerline]

In standard OEG chickens 20% protein has been known to cause gout.

 

[SimplyForties]

Quote:
TSC here sells a Dumoor chick starter that is 24%, which I feed to my guineas. I don't think it's medicated.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/poultry-feed-feeders/dumor-24-starter-chicken-feed-5078197

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Can you site your source? I've fed over 20% protein to my show birds several times before and have never had an issue. Now, my layer flock only gets 16% protein yet one of my birds got gout....

 

[ivan3]

As has been mentioned, articular gout is usually the result of a genetic fault. Visceral Gout is most often the result of disease (Infectious Bronchitis for instance).

Diseases of Poultry, Y.M. Saif, has a good precis on page 1086:

http://books.google.com/books?q=diseases+of+poultry

Detailed info. is available here (PDF of complete study is free - good photo of an ugly case of articular gout in the feet of a chook bred for susceptibility to condition):

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/101/3/347

All our chooks and turks are `exploding' at present. We usually feed Purina Game Bird Flight Conditioner during the summer (hens supplemented with free choice oyster shell). Right now we're using Flock Maintenance supplemented with Purina 30% Game Bird Startena (unmedicated), The Game Bird Startena and Layena contain animal protein. `Anecdotally' speaking, the birds appear to be a bit more lustrous when they get their `meat' (bugs or fish meal, never mind).

ed:sp

 

[powerline]

Steelgame.com has a section in their forums called What's Wrong With This Chicken. It is operated by First State Vet Supply. The owner has a degree in something like chicken science.

 

[powerline]

I was wrong. Excess of 30% protein over a sustained period will cause kidney damage. The kidney damage will cause the gout.

 

[cybercat]

I would not feed a light layer breed the higher protien diet unlees they are in moult. Duel purpose breed and the heavy breeds do much better on a higher protien diet than 16%. One reason they are much larger birds and just plan out need it. Check around to all you feed store and feed mills. Someone will carry they higher protien feed with out going Medicated. Make sure to look in your local yellow pages phone book. Going duck or turkey or sometimes game bird is a choise also. Good luck in your search.