Should 5 week old pullets and keets eat Flock Raiser?

[Chestnut Hill]

I have 5 week old BA pullets and keets who are currently eating Purina Game Bird Starter which is medicated and has 30% protein. The rest of the flock is eating Flock Raiser with 20% protein. I have hens, Roos, Guineas and 12 week old pullets. They have oyster shell and crushed egg shells, too. The babies are out of food. Should I give them the Flock Raiser? Which is not medicated. Or shop for something different? They are currently in their own enclosure, so no one else eats their food. Game Bird is because of the keets. It seems like with the last batch, I couldn’t find game bird grower/finisher and had to buy meat bird, which they liked!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Flock raiser is fine. Do you have troubles with coccidiosis?

 

[Ghosty]

I went to a 22% flock raiser around 5 weeks for the same reasons as you. Heck, my mom fed them 16% egg layer for a week while I was on vacation, when they were 3 weeks. Granted, mine free range all day since 5 weeks, but they are good size. They are bigger than my last batch at that age, and the last batch had game bird starter a lot longer, but they didn't start free ranging so soon. I give everyone 22% flock raiser now, calcium on the side if needed.

 

[Chestnut Hill]

Flock raiser is fine. Do you have troubles with coccidiosis?

No, I’ve never had a problem. I just didn’t know if they needed medicated to keep it that way. Thank you!

 

[Chestnut Hill]

I went to a 22% flock raiser around 5 weeks for the same reasons as you. Heck, my mom fed them 16% egg layer for a week while I was on vacation, when they were 3 weeks. Granted, mine free range all day since 5 weeks, but they are good size. They are bigger than my last batch at that age, and the last batch had game bird starter a lot longer, but they didn't start free ranging so soon. I give everyone 22% flock raiser now, calcium on the side if needed.

Thank you! I wish I could turn these out to free range with the rest. The adult Guineas have taken to staring at them through the fence. I can’t tell if it’s because they recognize them as Guineas or if it’s because they want to bop them on the head. So they have the whole 10’x20’ grow out pen and brooder to themselves. Now I have a broody hen due to hatch next Wed and I can’t decide where to put her when they hatch. Maybe a dog kennel in the grow out pen....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No, I’ve never had a problem. I just didn’t know if they needed medicated to keep it that way. Thank you!

I believe yours are old enough to have built up some immunity to it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Go with the flock raiser. They shouldn't need medicated feed if the bedding is kept dry and feeders at least half full.
30% protein is way too high for chickens.

 

[Ghosty]

Sounds like you have a nice size grow out pen for them though. I have all younger birds and the older batch of guineas babied the new. I put the little ones in a sequestering pen for a few days in the coop, then out into the coop and run for a week or two with the other birds before I open the chick door and allow them to come outside. I'm feeding wet feed off and on to boost the processable protein in their feed.