Protein supplement for poults

[JB8907]

I’m having trouble finding organic game bird feed near me. I have found chick starter and grower that is organic near me but it does not have enough protein. What is a suitable protein supplement to add to their feed?

 

[paneubert]

That is also organic? Good luck. There are lots of common protein supplements people add to chicken feed, but I don't think any are going to be organic. At least not without the same amount of hassle that shipping in some organic game bird feed would be.

 

[PirateGirl]

If you have a particular grain/seed you want to add, Azure Standard is a good source for buying bulk organic ingredients.

 

[JB8907]

If you have a particular grain/seed you want to add, Azure Standard is a good source for buying bulk organic ingredients.

I'll look into this I'm wanting a fodder system and worms to get away from store feed. All my birds free range so they would be fine with fodder and worms I think.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'll look into this I'm wanting a fodder system and worms to get away from store feed. All my birds free range so they would be fine with fodder and worms I think.

You will definitely find some good stuff you can sprout and grow fodder with from Azure Standard.

 

[PirateGirl]

https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/category/food/grains/26267

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Organic broiler starter is very likely going to be the closest thing to gamebird starter that you will find as a complete feed. They are so close in formulation that it shouldn't even be an issue.

As for supplements you have 3 good options that I know of off hand.

1. Meal worms which are going to be pricey. You'll want to be careful not to feed too many or you'll dilute their complete, balanced feed. That warning also goes for the following supplements as well.

2. Soy beans if you can find them as organic may work, however many don't care much for soy for several reasons. It will be your cheapest option though, and if you can ferment them then that will help allot in making it more digestible to your birds. It might also help your birds have an interest in them. Mine had no interest in the roasted soybeans that I tossed out on the ground. The soy came in a bag of feed for my doves, however the doves would starve to death before eating the soy, so I tossed them to the chickens.

3. Dry cat food is also a very good supplement for omnivorous birds and can be found easily enough as organic. Watch out for Kitten food, it may have higher protein but usually is to high in fat.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

What kind of birds are you intending to raise?

 

[JB8907]

My Narragansett poults hatched yesterday. I'll be picking them up today or tomorrow.

 

[Fairview01]

My Narragansett poults hatched yesterday. I'll be picking them up today or tomorrow.

Percent protein is important of course but the protein source is always more important. Plant sourced protein is cheap but is deficient in essential amino acids lysine and methionine. They can not manufacture these amino acids from others. They need to be consumed as such. Also lysine and methionine are primarily responsible for protein synthesis. If they are in short supply despite a high protein content, muscle development and feathering out will be compromised.

Either these amino acids need to be artificially made or sourced from animal protein.

I feed catfish chow as a supplement which contains pork and fish meal. It's not organic however using synthesized amino acids isnt organic either.