Russian Orloffs

[RiddleMe]

Has anyone noticed their RO chicks needing exta protein? Mine are on regular 18% crumbles and I noticed some feather picking a couple days ago (they are ~3wks now). And it was not just one culprit, a bunch of them were doing it. It's not crowding, they are in a 10'x10' area. Started giving them some cooked, chopped eggs and it seems to have stopped...

 

[desertmarcy]

Has anyone noticed their RO chicks needing exta protein? Mine are on regular 18% crumbles and I noticed some feather picking a couple days ago (they are ~3wks now). And it was not just one culprit, a bunch of them were doing it. It's not crowding, they are in a 10'x10' area. Started giving them some cooked, chopped eggs and it seems to have stopped...

That is not enough protein for that age. I use a 22% chick starter/grower and keep them on it for several months. I have had a horrible time with feather picking this year, but not in the Orloffs, and not in chicks but older birds. The Marans were the worst (Black and Blue Coppers), then the Good Shepard Barred Rocks started, then the Mohawk Rhode Island Reds...It was driving me nuts and the birds looked horrible. I was using an organic 17% layer pellet since these birds were in lay or about to be. My understanding now is that the Standard Breed chickens need a higher protein than the hatchery type birds. I have since switched to mixing the 22% starter crumble with the 17% layer pellet and adding some fish meal since there is no animal protein in these feeds. I am giving this mix to all the birds now except my hatchery Barred Rocks and Delawares which don't seem to need it. Even the Orloffs are getting it, even though they were not feather picking, because I sure don't want them to start! I was told it can take up to 2 months for the change in feed to make a difference, but I think I see a difference after only a week. The fact that your chicks are doing better with the eggs in their diet does support the notion that they need more protein. In particular, the animal protein if your feed is vegetarian like a lot of feeds are now.

 

[RiddleMe]

Has anyone noticed their RO chicks needing exta protein? Mine are on regular 18% crumbles and I noticed some feather picking a couple days ago (they are ~3wks now). And it was not just one culprit, a bunch of them were doing it. It's not crowding, they are in a 10'x10' area. Started giving them some cooked, chopped eggs and it seems to have stopped...

That is not enough protein for that age. I use a 22% chick starter/grower and keep them on it for several months.

Yeah it's just a standard chick starter/grower, locally milled, but still typical ingredients/breakdowns. I haven't found anything with the higher protein in a crumble, what brand/type are you using? My adults are on a 20% protein pellet, but it has the extra calcium the chicks don't need. I'll have to start scouring labels, but if that doesn't work, well I have lots of extra eggs!

 

[desertmarcy]

Yeah it's just a standard chick starter/grower, locally milled, but still typical ingredients/breakdowns. I haven't found anything with the higher protein in a crumble, what brand/type are you using? My adults are on a 20% protein pellet, but it has the extra calcium the chicks don't need. I'll have to start scouring labels, but if that doesn't work, well I have lots of extra eggs!

I use Modesto Milling in CA. I buy feed by the pallet and have it shipped here. It is certified organic and is very expensive. 22% chick starter is $29.47/bag for the soy formula and $26.21/bag for the soy-free. I ordered the soy-free this time. Feed is already breaking my bank. I hope they like it. Up where you are, I would think you have many feed options, no?

 

[ashandvine]

Fish meal is something I considered by I am not sure where to get it here. My birds are on 22% all winter and they get lots of people scraps, including meat, but I keep the meat breeds, and RO were considered a meat bird, on the high protein most of the year, but esp when they are growing or molting.
I wonder sometimes if one of my RO is picking out of winter boredom. It isn't bad but I did notice it a few times. Why is it always the beards!?

 

[RiddleMe]

We're I'm at I have four local feed stores but they all seem to focus on the basic Purina (or Purina-like) products, no one carries the "fancy" feeds, ie show bird/game bird/organic that I am aware of. But I'm going to go feed hunting today, maybe see if I can special order.

 

[desertmarcy]

We're I'm at I have four local feed stores but they all seem to focus on the basic Purina (or Purina-like) products, no one carries the "fancy" feeds, ie show bird/game bird/organic that I am aware of. But I'm going to go feed hunting today, maybe see if I can special order.

Have you heard of Azure Standard? They are in Oregon and ship all over the west and carry a few feeds. Personally I have not been happy with the brands of organic feed they carry but maybe they would work for you and they have a new one now that I haven't tried. Go to www.azurestandard.com, you sign up for free as a member and if there is a drop point near you, all you need is $50 minimum and shipping is included in the price (prices aren't shown unless you sign in as member). The list of brands they carry is growing, but limited products within each brand. Currently they have Rogue Feeds, Magill Ranch, Big Sky, and a new one called Scratch and Peck Feeds. I've tried Magill Ranch---protein content was too low; and Big Sky---even the layer is ground to a fine powder which I didn't like. I have not been able to find an organic game bird feed which is too bad because I also raise heritage turkeys and I have to give them feed formulated for chickens. I am very against the GMOs (genetically modified organism in case there is someone out there who doesn't know) and all the soy and corn and now probably alfalfa in conventional, non-organic feeds, is all GMO. I'll tell ya, growing out all these chicks is making me contemplate my hobby and do I really want to do this....I just had another pallet of feed delivered which cost me $1422 and most of it was chick starter.

 

[ashandvine]

Alfalfa and corn don't bother me but GMO and soy do. I know the birds will go eat beans out of the garden on their own volition so that have to ask myself if soy is so bad. I am not sure. I hear you on cost. If the birds go the RO will be the last off the cart. I know they are longest shot and all that, but I love 'em. The turkeys don't pay out well so far. I have Midgets here. Trying it but it might not be for me after all. My son loves it. He isn't the one paying feed bills or butchering though either.

 

[draye]

I feed all my babies Game Bird non-medicated feed, I think it is a 20 or 21% feed. I have no problems with feather picking.

 

[RiddleMe]

We're I'm at I have four local feed stores but they all seem to focus on the basic Purina (or Purina-like) products, no one carries the "fancy" feeds, ie show bird/game bird/organic that I am aware of. But I'm going to go feed hunting today, maybe see if I can special order.

Have you heard of Azure Standard? They are in Oregon and ship all over the west and carry a few feeds. Personally I have not been happy with the brands of organic feed they carry but maybe they would work for you and they have a new one now that I haven't tried. Go to www.azurestandard.com, you sign up for free as a member and if there is a drop point near you, all you need is $50 minimum and shipping is included in the price (prices aren't shown unless you sign in as member). The list of brands they carry is growing, but limited products within each brand. Currently they have Rogue Feeds, Magill Ranch, Big Sky, and a new one called Scratch and Peck Feeds. I've tried Magill Ranch---protein content was too low; and Big Sky---even the layer is ground to a fine powder which I didn't like. I have not been able to find an organic game bird feed which is too bad because I also raise heritage turkeys and I have to give them feed formulated for chickens. I am very against the GMOs (genetically modified organism in case there is someone out there who doesn't know) and all the soy and corn and now probably alfalfa in conventional, non-organic feeds, is all GMO. I'll tell ya, growing out all these chicks is making me contemplate my hobby and do I really want to do this....I just had another pallet of feed delivered which cost me $1422 and most of it was chick starter.

I am actually a member of Azure standard, and I have tried some of their poultry feeds. But I had the same issue, there was just too much "dust". Seemed like a lot of waste unless I mixed it with yogurt or some other binder, and for the price… But I was able to find a 27% gamebird feed today ($25 for 50# - ouch), to mix with my current bag of feed. Turns out I just needed to go to our big-box feedstore (Big R) instead of the smaller locally owned ones I usually buy through. Nothing against Big R I actually go there a lot for things like hardware, welded wire, etc. Their prices beat our local Lowes/Home Depot. I just haven't spent a lot of time in their feed section recently. I am going to try the Azure feeds again though, I've read some pretty good reviews about the Scratch and Peck. But yes, the cost of feed is one reason why I am staying small for now, as much as I would like to branch out into other heritage breeds, including turkeys.